March 23
“The parable is this: The seed is the Word of God,” Luke 8:11.
Jesus was taking a tour of the towns and villages in Galilee. He went from one place to another, teaching and preaching the Good News that He was the promised Messiah and Savior of the world. The twelve disciples were accompanying Him on this tour. We might say that they were like seminary students sitting at the feet of the great Teacher, Jesus. He taught them what they should be doing at the time and what they should do after He ascended into heaven.
Luke mentions a number of women by name whom Jesus had healed from various diseases and out of whom He had driven devils or evil spirits. Out of thankfulness for what He had done, the women faithfully followed Him and ministered to His physical needs. Remember, Jesus said, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head,” Luke 9:58. He, the almighty Son of God, really did not have a place that He could call home! On this point, the apostle Paul wrote, “You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich,” 2 Corinthians 8:9.
As Jesus journeyed along with the large crowd, He taught them with many parables – stories from everyday life with a spiritual meaning. On this occasion, He told the story of the sower who went to sow his seed. Some fell by the wayside, and the birds ate it. Some fell among the stones, where it could not take root. Some fell among the weeds and thorns, which choked the good seed. Some fell on good ground, and sprouted and brought forth an abundant crop.
Privately, the twelve disciples admitted to Jesus that they did not know what He was talking about. They asked, “What does this parable mean?” Luke 8:9. He answered, “The seed is the Word of God.” The seed is always good – God’s Word always works. However, God’s Word is not always received as the Word of God. There are those who hear it, but they do not receive and believe it. Their own sinful flesh, the devil, and the sinful world persuade them to reject God’s Word. They do not want to hear about their own sins and the need for a Savior. Others hear the Word of God and seemingly accept it for a time, as long as it is to their advantage. When they do not hear what they want to hear, they reject the Word. The Word is choked in the hearts of others who find the wealth, the riches, and the pleasures of this world more exciting.
Let us follow the example of those represented by the good ground on which the seed fell. Accept the Word of God. Believe it and trust in it. Confess your sins which the Word exposes and believe in Jesus as God’s Son and your Savior who suffered and died to take away your sins. Search and study God’s Word daily. Find time and take time to meditate upon the message of God’s grace and mercy revealed in Christ Jesus. Turn your ear to hear His Word, “Your sins are all forgiven! Sin, death, and the devil have been conquered by Christ!” To this you can say, “Amen!”