There is a parable about how each heart receives the gospel. Jesus gave the parable of the Seeds and the Sower which he then explained to his disciples. In reading it, Jesus describes different reactions people have to the Word of God. It begs the questions, “Which example are you?”
“Hear then the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path.
As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.
As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.
As
for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and
understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a
hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
Matthew 13:18-23
In the parable of the sower, the first seed falls along the path, but never even makes it into the ground where it might grow. It is the person who has heard about Jesus, but just doesn’t GET IT. I remember this feeling of JUST NOT getting it! Here we have a glimpse of the spiritual dynamics of faith. Seeds of truth, seeds of scripture, seeds of testimony, seeds of faith being gobbled up before they can take root in the hearts of those who hear. The crows are the voices that accuse God, his word, or Christians, bringing doubt, fear or anger in the place of faith, hope and love. It is the inner voice that is overly critical, cynical, surly, and aggressive to things of Christ. It blinds people from “seeing” and understanding the gospel. Jesus reveals that there is an enemy who is actively working in the world to prevent our understanding.
Jesus continues, “As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy,yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.” To me, this is a picture of a worldly faith which is desiring the gifts of God without God himself. It is the desire for the blessings without the sacrifice. The resurrection without the cross. It is the prosperity gospel. It is the faith that cherry picks all of the parts of the bible that tickles the ears, but is hostile to the true gospel centered on the cross. “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
Then, in some cases, the gospel did the work of salvation, but having been saved there is not spiritual growth. This has been described as believers who essentially treat their faith as “fire insurance”. “I am saved from judgement by the grace of God, but because of grace I am free to live my life as though Jesus was not alive. I do my best to be a good person and just live my life.” They essentially live a decent life without the strength and power and love of Christ in their lives. The weeds and thorns of life crowd out the word of God. The stress of all of the daily demands overtakes the priority of the spiritual life. Work, school, groceries, laundry, bills and budgets, kids’ activities, cooking meals, health appointments, and ALL of the day to day needs that clamour for our attention can choke out the word of God. Life is busy. The truth is that we cannot grow in our faith and mature without giving some time to knowing God in his word. That means not only gathering together on Sunday morning, but regularly reading and meditating on the words of the bible. (I want to talk more about this later.)
Finally, the good soil. This is my prayer for my boys and my desire for all of those I love. This “is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” It is the person who not only hears God’s word, but also understands it who bears fruit. I want to understand God’s word. I want to trust it and have faith in it. I want to bring my questions to it and wrestle with it. I want to know God through reading his word. The bible is unique. It is one of the main ways that God has chosen to speak to us and to grow us. It is worth our time and effort to understand. God will use it to bless our efforts in preparing our hearts as good soil where we can grow and bear fruit.
The Holy Spirit has his part in bringing about faith and we have ours. If we desire to know the truth of who God is and his plan for us, we can begin by inviting the Holy Spirit to teach us AND then being open to the teaching of God. That means that if there is something we don’t immediately understand, not rejecting God’s word, but instead being humble and truthful. “Jesus, I want to know the truth, but I don’t understand. Holy Spirit, teach me.” And then bring your questions, search out your answers. Don’t be passive. Your faith is the most important thing about you. It has eternal ramifications. And now is the time to wrestle with God. You do not know what tomorrow will bring. So, if you believe in the gospel, do your best to live it knowing that there is grace for our failings. We are children of God. Loved immeasurably. The difficulty is in the cross. You must lose your life to gain it. It is a lifelong journey to understand the significance of that statement. It is a journey every Christian must take in way way or another.
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