Good Seed, Good Soil

Luke 8:5-8, 11b-15 NIV
“A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.

The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. 

The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.”

Always remember the course that you are on, and the race that God has given you. We as Christians are heading in the same direction, but we are given different paths.

The interpretation is this:

1. The seed on the path is when the culture and life are filled with distractions so that the hearer’s attention was no longer on Jesus and His words. The results is they fall away from following the Lord.

2. Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. That means they love to hear the words of Jesus but have not meditated on His words. The testing of this life comes, and they do not have a solid foundation to survive on.

3. The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but life, work, goals, dreams. family and putting enough away for retirement take up all of their attention and they fall away.

4. The seed that falls on the good soil are those who have heard the words of our Lord, and they hide that word in their heart. That word begins to affect their lives and they realize that that retention of His words develops their heart and spirit, and they begin to walk with God. The results is God provides for their needs.

Prayer:
Lord, today we have read Your words, hide them in our heart, bind them around our hearts and understanding, and develop us through Your words. Help us to grow in Your wisdom and walk empowered through Your Holy Spirit, Amen!