“A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly , because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and chocked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop— a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.He who has ears, let him hear.
The disciples came to Him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”
Jesus replied, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. This is why I speak to them in parables:
Though seeing, they do not see; Though hearing they do not hear or understand.
In them is fulfilled the prophesy of Isaiah:
“You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn and I would heal them. ”
But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.
Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. But the one who received the word that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” Matthew 13:3-23
In this parable Jesus gives the key for us to be productive in producing a crop (this means increase– more than the seed sown). It seems so simple and we can see the wisdom in the truth He speaks. What is this simple truth that is so key?
Did you notice it’s not the one who only hears the word or even the one to whom the word sounds good so he receives it as truth — but, it is only to the one who hears and understands that sees a crop. What is the difference? Why is understanding so important to a crop? The answer to this question is the key to life as a Believer. Jesus is explaining to His disciples that understanding only comes through relationship with Him. When there is no relationship with Christ the cares of life soon overtake us. Lack of relationship allows the evil one to steal the seed. It is through relationship that we are rooted and grounded. The roots, the relationship that’s personal and secret (roots are underground– in secret), is where our life comes from because Jesus is the life. Anyone who doesn’t have roots cannot survive the trials and testing because it is through the relationship where they are nourished and strengthened.
When we cultivate our relationship with Christ with daily prayer, Bible study and meditation we will begin to grow. As we surrender to Him becoming obedient to His ways we are even more productive. Notice here it’s not following rules because we can follow rules without having understanding. When understanding comes through relationship we see His heart and are drawn into His great love.
This parable explains why so many fall away. Let’s all fall in love with Jesus. Let’s decide today that neither the cares of life or the evil one will hinder our devotion to Him. Let’s make sure our roots are going deep by prayer and Bible study. This parable should serve as a reminder to us all that our relationship with Jesus is where we are to be rooted and grounded so that through Him we have bountiful harvest.
Coffee With the King 