…He went…through cities and villages (of Judea), proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God…the twelve were with Him…some women…Mary, called Magdalene…Joanna, the wife of…Herod’s household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them (Jesus and His Disciples) out of their means…when a great crowd was gathering…He said in a parable, “A sower went out to sow his seed…As He said these things, He called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
Luke 8:1-8
After Jesus’ raising the dead man of Nain, He preaches His way through Judea’s cities and towns. We learn of some of those who went with Jesus on His missionary works, including some women. Though women of that time were not highly regarded, there were women who were wealthy and some who wielded political power and influence, even among those with Jesus, as we learn from Scripture’s description of them. Mary Magdalene had 7 demons exorcized from her by Jesus and Joanna who was a member of the Roman puppet king, Herod’s (not the Great), household manager’s family. These women, through their own means, provided for the needs of Jesus and His Disciples as they travelled through Judea. We will encounter some of these women again at the cross, the tomb, and Jesus’ appearances before His ascension to Heaven. Then, Jesus turns to the crowd following Him and speaks a parable to them. This is the parable of the sower which is a well-known parable, often the topic of sermons. Parables were used by Jesus to tell of “the secrets of the Kingdom of God” (verse 10). Jesus used them because the religious leaders were unable to “see” or to “hear” to understand what the parable was. Even this one, the Disciples came, afterward, to Jesus for an explanation. Christians, this parable is about the Word of God. God’s Word is the seed that is heard by those, us, who spread God’s Word wherever we go. The path, where the Word is trampled, is made up of those who hear the Word of God but the devil and his demons take away the Word from their hearts so they may not believe and be saved. There are people who will come to church for reasons beneficial only to them, not for the redemption that is preached. Unfortunately, there, also, are preachers who have entire congregations who only want their “ears tickled.” These do not believe and are not saved. Some seed falls on rocks. These are people who are joyful at God’s Word and believe for a time but, unfortunately, have never really received Jesus and, when testing comes upon them, they are not able to exercise any faith, falling away at the least amount of testing. The seed that falls among the thorns are people who hear God’s Word but, the cares, riches, and/or pleasures of this life are more important than the destination of their soul. So, they choke on God’s Word, not allowing it to take hold and their fruit never matures. Then, Jesus explains that the good soil are people who hear God’s Word, hold God’s Word in a good and honest heart and, bear fruit in the patience of their Christian life. Christians are fruit bearers! How are you doing with your fruit bearing? God’s Word tells the Christian of many ways in which to bear fruit for the Kingdom of God. May God increase your fruit as you mature into your new life in Christ!
Source: S C Ball January 31, 2023
Leave a Reply