Luke 8:4, Jesus often communicated spiritual truth through parables –short stories or descriptions that take a familiar object or situation and give it a startling new twist. By linking the known with the hidden and forcing listeners to think, parables can point to spiritual truths. A parable compels listeners to discover the truth for themselves, and it conceals the truth from those to lazy or dull to understand it. In reading Jesus’ parables, we must be careful not to read to much into them. Most have only one point and one meaning.
Luke 8:5, Why would a farmer allow precious seed to land on the path, on rocks or among thorns? This is not an irresponsible farmer scattering seeds at random. He is using the acceptable method of hand seeding a large field- tossing it by handfuls as he walks through the field. His goal is to get as much seed as possible to take root in good soil, but waste is inevitable as some falls or is blown into less productive areas. That some of the seed produces no crop is not the fault of the faithful farmer or of the seed. The yield depends on the condition of the soil where the seed falls. It is our responsibility to spread the seed [God’s word], but we should not give up when some of our efforts fail. Remember not every seed falls on good soil.
Luke 8:10, Why didn’t the crowds understand Jesus’ words? Perhaps they were looking for a military leader, or a political Messiah and could not fit his gentle teaching style into their preconceived idea. Perhaps they were afraid of pressure from religious leaders and did not want to look to deeply into Jesus’ words. God told Isaiah that people would hear without understanding and see without learning anything and that kind of reaction confronted Jesus. The parable of the farmer was an accurate picture of the peoples reaction to the rest of his parables.
Luke 8;11-15, ‘’Path’’ people, like many of the religious leaders, refuse to believe God’s message. ‘’Rock’’ people, like many in the crowds that followed Jesus, believe his message but never get around to doing anything about it. ‘’Thorn patch’’ people, overcome by worries and the lure of materialism, leave no room in their lives for God. ‘’Good soil’’ people, in contrast to all the other groups, follow Jesus no matter what the cost. Which type of soil are you?
Luke 8:16,17, When the light of the truth about Jesus illuminates us, we have the duty to shine that light to help others. Our witness for Christ should be public, not hidden. We should not keep the benefits for ourselves alone but pass them on to others. In order to be helpful, we need to be well placed. Seek opportunities to shine your light when unbelievers need help to see.
Luke 8:18, Applying God’s word helps us grow. This is a principle of growth in physical, mental, and spiritual life. For example, a muscle, when exercised, will grow stronger, but an unused muscle will grow weak and flabby. If you are not growing stronger, you are growing weaker. It is impossible for you to stand still. How are you using what God has taught you?
Three reasons why you need Jesus
1.Because you have a past.
2.Because you need a friend.
3.Because he holds the future.
image reference ;grace2f.org
G.Z/K.Z.
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