18 ‘Hear then the parable of the sower. 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. 23 But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.’ Matthew 13: 18-23
Everybody will take medication in their life. From the over-the-counter pain medication to the prescription only heart medication, we all will in the span of our lives take medication for problems big and small. But, while the medication may be the same for each person, the results vary greatly depending on the metabolism of the consumer. Some patients cannot tolerate high level pain medication. Some patients cannot tolerate oral antibiotics. Some patients cannot tolerate chemotherapy. Even in some patients a medication will not be effective or work at all. The medication might be the same, but the results vary depending on the person taking them.
Perhaps then, we can understand the parable of the soils. The one seed is the same, but the results of sowing that seed vary depending on the soil. But Jesus is really trying to explain how he can preach and teach the same Word of God to many people, but the consequences of that Word vary depending on the receptivity of the hearer. The same medication with varied results. The same seed with varied growth. The same Word of the Kingdom of God with varied acceptance and understanding, which continues today, the same Word of God, with different reception and comprehension. In the parable, we have three negative results and three positive results.
The first negative result is when the Word of God is preached but not understood, when anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. Rather ironically, the difficulty in this situation is understanding the word “understanding.” I have many things I don’t understand, but I invest in the process of learning. I think the difficulty when it comes to Word of God is the motivation to stay ignorant. The problem is not wanting to understand, not the difficulty in understanding. I don’t want to know; versus I have a difficult time knowing; and the Word of God produces nothing.
Next we have when the Word of God is preached and accepted, but without true commitment, as for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy;yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. Troubles and persecutions test one’s commitment to understanding and following the Word of God. They require a root or commitment to continue despite the difficulties. Many struggle with trials and difficult experiences and they shrivel up and quit following Christ under them because faith requires a life-long commitment in good times and bad times; and the Word of God produces nothing.
The last result is when the Word of God is preached but a love of pleasure and possessions prevents any change, as for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. Weeds steal energy and resources from the crops. The cares of the world and the lure of wealth, choke out our understanding and steal the obedience from the Word of God. We pursue comfort and wealth instead of faith and obedience, and the Word of God produces nothing.
But, while this parable invests more concern into the ways the Word of God can be stolen from the human heart, scorched by trials, and choked by temptations, it still possesses positive results. The Word falls into good soil or good human hearts and produces good results, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.’ The Word of God is heard, understood and it grows into the fruit of the Spirit. Not each person may be the same, we have one with a hundredfold and another with sixty, but the Word grows results regardless. The critical moment appears to be if a person hears, understands, and obeys the Word given.
Which are you? Do you care to understand the Word, or do you expend energy avoiding having to learn it? Do you have a life-long commitment to understanding and obeying the Word, or do the difficult moments scorch your discipleship and you leave? Do you have some worldly temptation, some pleasure or possession that chokes the Word of God and you seek after them? Or does the Word of God grow in your heart? Do you hear, understand, and obey? Which are you? Each of our hearts is a field, which God has planted the Word into. You are responsible for what kind of soil it is; rocky, shallow, thorny, or fertile. Perhaps now is the time to grow, perhaps now is the time to hear, perhaps now is the time to be open to understanding and obeying God’s Word. Amen.
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