In the book of Luke 8:1-15, Jesus taught his disciples of a parable of the Sower. He wanted them to know how to bear much fruits which refer to winning of more souls as the end results of being a good followers of Jesus Christ. That's why Jesus told to Peter that "from now on, you will no longer catch fish but men" (Luke 5:11). Prior to his teaching of this parable, Jesus days were so filled of many tasks of preaching, teaching, healing of sicknesses, casting out demons. And the twelve disciples were there too and even the women like Mary Magdalene who came out seven demons, Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susana and many others. These women supported the daily necessities of Jesus ministries.
Knowing that the people were there to listen to his teaching, he told them the message of how to become more fruitful in their ministry through a parable. Jesus narrated a story that one day a farmer went out of his house and went to his field to sow the seed and while he scattering it, some fell along the path and was trampled and the birds of the air ate it up. Some fell on a rocky place and when it sprang up, the plants withered cause these have no moisture and enough soil. Some fell on the thorns and grew up with these and were just choked the plants and died. Other seed fell on good soil. It grew up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown" (verses 4-8).
In the following verses 9-10, the disciples asked Jesus why he is always using a parable in his teaching ministry? Jesus answered them, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, "though seeing, they may not see, though hearing, they may not understand." Jesus told his disciples that blessed are they who understand his teaching and obey it. For not all who listen, hear what the Lord is saying, for faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ (Romans 10:17). Hearing or listening should couple with action or obedience. "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him" (Hebrews 11:6). A person can only understand the message of Christ if he has the willingness and desire with all his mind, heart and soul to listen and to obey. Without these, don't expect to know the will of God in your life. Blessed is he who heard the message of Christ and do it - he will be blessed in all he does" (James 1:25).
Jesus gave the meaning of the sowing of the seed that fell on different places. First, the seed that fell on the pathway, is the word of God that heard by a person who has no interest at all for different reasons. His mind is blinded by the system of this world which father is Satan (II Corinthians 4:4). "In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God" (Psalm 10:4). Second, the seeds that fell on the rock are the people who received the word with joy and they believed for a while but they have no roots. When temptations and testing in life come, they easily gave in or gave up and fall away. Third, the seed that fell on the thorny place are those who received the word of God but as they go on their way they are choked by, defeated by and weakened their faith by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. These people who received and obeyed the word of God for some period in time but because of pain and hardships in life, and attractions of the world like love of money, flesh, power and good life, they exchanged their found faith in Jesus on these worldly things and blamed God of the miseries they suffered caused of their unpreparedness brought by their poor choice to love the world and its desires. They didn't come back to God and to ask for forgiveness like what the prodigal son did. This man after he realized the evil things and worldliness he did, he humbled himself and asked his Father for forgiveness and his Father welcomed him with hug and kiss of joy. This seed died too. Fourth, the seed that fell on the good soil are those who received the message of God with all their hearts and they keep and obeyed these daily. They submitted their lives to Christ teaching and they grow in their faith and by perseverance, patience and endurance of hardships they continue to follow Christ words and works and face sickness and even death with gladness knowing that one day they will hear the commendation from God that says, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!" (Matthew 25:21).
Brothers and sisters in Christ, the road going to heaven is the want all men are aiming to have in life after death, but they wanted the easy way and there are no sacrifices whatsoever. God sent Jesus, his only precious Son just to live a simple life, voluntarily accepted the false accusations from his very own people, was ridiculed and mocked before the eyes of many, was humiliated and was hanged on the cross for the sins that he didn't commit. He obeyed his Father's will because of his unconditional love for you and for me. In John 3:16 it says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life". Jesus is calling you now to open your ears and to accept his invitation in Revelation 3:20, that says, "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me". If you hear God's voice, listen and make a wise decision now. It is you who will make the best decision for your salvation. The bible says in John 1:12, "To those who received him to them who believed in his name, to them he gave the right to become children of God". If you will accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you are blessed and this will the start of your new life in Christ. You will know the truth and the truth will set you free and be fruitful in everything that you do for the glory of our God. Attend a bible believing Christian church near you to help you grow in your faith and share the same to your loved ones, friends and contacts today.
For more messages about eternal life, forgiveness, victory over sin, hope, love and peace, visit our website at savelifewithjoy.com or go to our blogs at hopeandlifeforyou.com or Eugene "EJ" Juarez. Email us also at agn623@gmail.com for your comments, suggestions and prayer requests.
God loves you and has a wonderful plan in your life.
