Purpose of Luke 8:1-15: To help us rightly approach God’s Word so that we can bear a rich crop. We are not focusing on the four categories as much as seeking to understand our own responses towards God’s Word and have a heart described to rightly receive God’s Word even as the good soil received the seed.
B) A Picture of the Kingdom of God (Luke 8:4-8 - an introduction)
8:4 And when a great multitude were coming together, and those from the various cities were journeying to Him, He spoke by way of a parable: 5 “The sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell beside the road; and it was trampled under foot, and the birds of the air ate it up. 6 “And other seed fell on rocky soil, and as soon as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. 7 “And other seed fell among the thorns; and the thorns grew up with it, and choked it out. 8 “And other seed fell into the good soil, and grew up, and produced a crop a hundred times as great.” As He said these things, He would call out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
Spiritual Insights
The people sensed something was changing; many had dramatically experienced God’s power. The interest in Jesus’ words brought many people long distances to hear Jesus. This was not an issue of getting up an hour earlier to get to church. They walked from surrounding towns and cities. Jesus knew that people had so many questions about spiritual matters and were “journeying to Him”. He knew the answers and would teach them and us.
This parable of the Sower surprisingly teaches us many things that we really long to understand, and even more–those things we want to experience and know. These words of the kingdom describe special truths for our personal lives.
Jesus first explains why not everyone believes. There are deep spiritual struggles deep within each one of us. The battles are great each time the Word of God is proclaimed, even as you read this. The Word of God is the truth of God being revealed to our lives and holds forth great potential. And so, as a followup question, we are right to ask, “Why isn’t everyone equally changed?” Or, a little bit more subtle, for those who have been around church where the Word of God has been preached for many years, “Why don’t we all grow the same?” Or “Why do some stop believing?”
In essence, we quietly wonder if God’s Word is so powerful, why does it not impact everyone or for some seemingly lose its drawing power? (Some of you have powerfully been touched by God’s Word and wonder why others don’t seem to be equally touched.) Jesus tells us, but before continuing on, let us observe another powerful teaching revealed in these words.
Jesus gets personal
Jesus gets very personal with us. Some people might have questions about predestination or hold questions like, “What about those people who never heard?” Jesus breaks through those idle questions with answers that pertain to our own lives. As much as we can blame others or allow confusion to hold us back from responding to God’s Word, Jesus comes straight to us and looks us in the eye and offers us the Word of Life. What are you going to do with it? Here are words that help us connect us with life and God Himself. Simply said, never allow excuses hold back your trust in God’s Word. When God’s Word comes to you, listen. Take it, hold it tight and never let it go.
This is not only about unbelievers but spiritual forces affecting all of us much of the time.
One last important matter before going on. Some believe this parable only teaches about unbelievers who have no trust in the gospel and the struggle they have to come to know God and gain eternal life. Surely this is included in these thoughts. If you are not a follower of Jesus, then yes, you can come to know God through His powerful Word. But let us remember, that Satan not only tries to keep God’s Word from the unbeliever, to keep him or her under his control, but he wants to keep the believer in the dark, a pawn in his hand. These words of Jesus, however, also describe the believer and the interaction he or she has with the Word of God.
We must carefully observe how Jesus uses natural objects to teach us spiritual truths. The assumption is that God really wants us to understand spiritual matters and so has placed His teaching aids all around us! And again, this is why Jesus taught the multitudes. Those that wanted to learn, could learn.
Two parts of the parable of the Sower
This teaching is given in two parts, forming the second two parts of our three part outline. The first is in verses 4-8 where Jesus tells us the parable, though concluding with a personal warning to hear these things. The second is found in verses 9-15 where Jesus explains the parable to his disciples and therefore to its readers. We should not, cannot, go away saying we do not understand. Finally, do not forget that though the parable looks so simple but that some of our deepest questions about spiritual life are answered here.
Next=> The Teaching of the Kingdom of God - The Teaching (Luke 8:5-8)
Luke 8:1-3 Intro | 8:4-8 Insights | 8:4-8 Gardening | 8:9-10 | 8:9-15 Explanation | Fatherlessness | Good crop
