A Matter of Heart

⁹ And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, ¹⁰ he said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand’ (Luke 8:9-10, ESV).   

Perhaps gardening or farming may not get our attention, however it certainly would have gotten their attention.  In the verses right before, Jesus tells a parable about seed and four types of soil to the crowd.  A parable is a story with a meaning.  At the end of it, Jesus calls out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear” (Luke 8:8).   

In Luke 8:9, we see the disciples asking Jesus what the parable meant.  Jesus responds letting them know He will give them the secrets, but others would be blinded from seeing and hear without understanding, hence the reason He spoke in parables.  The disciples were open and receptive. They wanted to know what the parable meant, but the others didn’t and unfortunately they would leave without understanding.  Interestingly enough, Jesus said, it has been given them to know the secrets of the kingdom of God. Honestly looking back over those previous verses, prior Jesus’ explanation, I wouldn’t have thought it was a secret to the kingdom of God.  Good thing the disciples asked and Jesus answered.  Not just for them, but for us who want to have ears to hear.  As Jesus continues to explain…

¹¹ Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God (Luke 8:11, ESV).

The seed is the word of God. As Jesus continues, we will see that the soil represents the heart of man.  Depending upon the conditions of the heart will make a difference of how the word of God is received.  Jesus gives us four different scenarios in his explanation. 

¹² The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved (Luke 8:12, ESV).

The first one would definitely classify as unbelievers. The truth is many unbelievers may cognitively know scripture, however Satan keeps it from reaching their heart and therefore they don’t believe. The Apostle Paul also says, In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God (2 Corinthians 4:4).  The influence of Satan keeps them from believing and being saved. 

¹³ And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away (Luke 8:13, ESV).

The second one has a burst but nothing to keep it grounded.  Therefore, they fall away when testing comes. I have seen people attend Christian Conferences and in the excitement of the moment they go down for an altar call, but as soon as they returned home they fall right back into the same old life style.  They didn’t get plugged into a church, read the Bible, or pray.  Having no foundation they soon fall away.

¹⁴ And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature (Luke 8:14, ESV).

Third are the ones who focus on worldly pleasures.  The desires of the world take over which in return bears no fruit.  Immediately I think of poison ivy.  Have you ever seen a tree overtaken by poison ivy?  From a distance it looks great because the green leaves of the vine have covered it, but underneath the tree is dying or dead already.  The vine has choked the life right out of it.  I think it’s the same with worldly desires, they may start small, but left un-kept before we know it they begin to take over. 

¹⁵ As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience (Luke 8:15, ESV).

The fourth hears the Word, they hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and with patience it bears fruit.  For a plant to produce good fruit it needs to grow in ideal conditions.  The soil would have been cultivated, cleared of rocks, and weeded of thorns/vines that would choke the plant out.  Even so, it takes time for a plant to grow and bear fruit. 

Friends, the same is true for us.  Walking our journey of faith is a process, and sometimes a slow one at that.  There is a great work to be done in our lives, cultivating our hearts, and preparing us to bear fruit.  As a kid, I had a painted picture of a little girl (a gift from my godmother) that hung on my bedroom wall.  It read, “Please be patient, God isn’t finished with me yet.”

Lord, You know exactly where each of us are right now before You.  Would You do Your work in each of us, the work only You can do Lord.  I pray against the influence and the lies of Satan in our lives.  I pray Satan would release his grip, so we would be free to know and do Your will in our lives.  I pray for the internal sifting and the weeding in each of our hearts of the things that keep us from developing strong roots in our faith.  Maybe it’s areas of sin to address, maybe disobedience, or maybe chasing after our own desires.  As You cultivate our hearts, things will be sifted and weeded, would you give us the strength and patience as You prepare us.  In Jesus Name, Amen.