Luke : Day 17

Read Luke 8: 4-21

How’s your hearing? That’s one of the key themes in this section – the words hear, hearing and listen are used nine times in these verses. But Jesus was talking about more than just using our ears.

In his parable (a story told to make a spiritual point), Jesus pictured God’s message as seed being scattered by a farmer. As God’s message is preached and shared with people, it is like seed landing on the soil of their ‘heart’. What will happen? That depends on the ‘soil’.

For some, the seed will never have a chance to sprout, because the person is resistant or hard-hearted towards God’s word. For others, there may be some initial interest or enthusiasm. But then life gets tough, or something else seems more important. The little 'plants' wither up – which means the person shows no lasting evidence of true faith.

But some will hear God’s word, and retain it (verse 15). They will accept or receive it with an open heart, and continue to live by it, and the tiny seed will produce a full harvest – the life of faith and love that God intends for us.

This explains what Jesus said about his mother and brothers in verse 21. He wasn’t dismissing them – it’s clear from other places in the Bible that Jesus loved his earthly family. He was making a point to his listeners: those who are in the family of God are those who not only hear God’s word, but accept it and obey it.

The word parable literally means ‘throw down beside’. In other words, to make a comparison. Jesus throws down this story beside our own life experiences, and says, “Compare yourself to this.”

If you were to compare yourself to these types of soil, which would you be? God’s word is like a mirror. Can you see your reflection?

If you hear God speaking to you – challenging your views and stirring you up – don’t switch off or ignore Him. Listen carefully!

“Therefore consider carefully how you listen”

Luke 8:18