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Weekly Message | September 20th, 2009
Passage: Luke 8:16-25
Key Verse(s): Luke 8:15, 25
This teaching of Jesus Christ is quite insightful. This shows four patterns of people. Here, Jesus teaches us about the condition and habits of the heart. The condition of the heart is about its condition at this particular moment. This is the realistic assessment of our position before God at the present. Our heart conditions may change but habits of heart are gradually fixed over the years. This prolonged condition becomes the habit of heart that is fairly consistent. This determines our attitude, personality, and destiny. The habits of our heart are the key for the rise and fall of our life and ministry.
First, Jesus and the faithful women (1-3). Look at verse 1: “After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God.” Jesus traveled widely. Jesus was a traveling evangelist. His focus was to proclaim the kingdom of God. It was the good news of the kingdom of God. People were not interested in hearing about the world. They were eager to hear from God. The kingdom of God is Jesus. Where there is Jesus, there is the kingdom of God.
Look at verse 2: “The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases:” At this time there were two regular fellowship meetings among Jesus’ followers. One was the fellowship of the Twelve and its leader was Peter. The other was the fellowship of women. Probably, the women’s fellowship grew to be more than 15 and it outnumbered the fellowship of the Twelve. Interestingly, among many women, Luke mentions three by name. Jesus had healed them in body and spirit—this critical 20% of the women might have done 80% of all the work for this women’s fellowship.
Look at verse 3: “Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support Jesus and his disciples out of their own means.” Among them Mary was the most prominent. She was a powerful fellowship leader. Mary had a very sinful past, but was transformed when Jesus drove seven demons out of her. Seven demons? Perhaps a demon of sinful pleasures, a demon of bitterness, a demon of sorrows, a demon of rebellion, a demon of fatalism, etc. Instead of becoming a demon-woman she became of a woman of godly character─godly passion, thanksgiving, joy, obedience, and was full of faith. Another powerful woman was Joanna, the wife of Cuza, who was the minister of finance of King Herod’s cabinet. How did she get involved in Jesus’ ministry? Just imagine. Would it be possible that for too long she might have despaired over her meaningless life with her rich and powerful but uncaring husband at home? Through Jesus she experienced the kingdom of God. She saw another kind of life—with the love of God. There were other women such as Susanna and many others. Apart from Christ these women had little in common. How can a former prostitute find friendship with a woman of wealth and worldly power? Yet, in Jesus Christ they shared fellowship together.
Then what did they do? These women were no longer sorrowful and sick women. They helped to support Jesus and his disciples out of their own means. Probably, their husbands were not necessarily people of faith. However, these women supported Jesus and the Twelve. Jesus, the Son of God, could have supported the needs of himself and his disciples by supernatural means. Rather, he ate food which these sacrificial women prepared. Certainly, these women engaged in endless cooking for the hungry disciples. Perhaps they did laundry for them─washing their dirty, dusty robes. They helped do a lot of tedious office and administrative work.
Throughout the ages, any gospel ministry is possible because of women of devotion like these. Martin Luther’s ministry was successful primarily due to his work and writings. On the other hand, his wife’s (Katharina Von Bora) influence was tremendous. As his ministry grew, so many people came to his home all the time. It was his wife who handled all the hospitality functions. In a home, the capabilities of mothers are important for the health of families. In a ministry, the capabilities of women determine the scope and quality of the ministry.
Why did these faithful women serve Jesus and his disciples so much? They did it all because they loved God. Their love was not just in words, but in active devotion. They loved Jesus Christ. They loved the disciples of Jesus Christ. The order is very important. We must first know and love God. We must love our Lord Jesus Christ. Then we can love the work of Christ and his people.
Second, Jesus’ parable of sower (4-9). At this time the ministry of Jesus was really growing. (4) A large crowd of people, probably tens of thousands of people, came to Jesus. At this time, what was Jesus thinking about? Jesus was not excited by the enthusiastic responses of these people. Jesus was concerned about their heart condition. Jesus was paying attention to the patterns of people’s responses (i.e., the habits of their hearts).
Probably, it was spring and Jesus saw some farmers who at a distance were sowing seeds. So Jesus told a story about a farmer who went out to scatter the seed. The land for farming in Palestine was very limited. They had to use whatever space was available. The path was right in the middle of the field. Because of a lack of technology, rocks remained uncleared and thorns easily grew. This parable is like a few snapshot photos of seed sowing, growing, and harvesting. Just imagine photographers taking pictures at different times─sowing, growing, and harvesting times.
A seed fell along the path was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. (5) The surface of path soil was hard because of so much traffic. The seed simply could not penetrate the soil. The seed was left along the path until birds came and ate it.
Some fell on rocky soil. (6) Just below the soil surface was the hard rock. The rock prevented a small plant from taking root. Without finding any place for getting necessary water and nutrition, the plant simply died out as the scorching heat of the sun withered the plant.
Other seed fell among thorns. (7) The seed was growing among thorns. The growth rate of thorns is faster than that of other seeds. So thorns choked the plants. The thorns take away the majority of nutrition and water. Thorns act like parasites which suck up the life blood of the plant system.
Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown. (8) The seed sown in good soil grew well and bore fruit─hundred times what was sown. We don't know about the proportion of the good soil. At worst, the farmer might have lost three out of four seeds that were sown. Yet, because of the good seed that bore fruit ;thirty, sixty, and a hundred fold; the farmer still could make a profit.
Look at verse 8b: “When he said this, he called out, ‘He who has ears to hear, let him hear.’” Jesus was earnestly inviting people for further discussion about this parable. Yet, most people went home. But his disciples came and asked him about the meaning of the parable. (9)
Jesus said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, ‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’“ Here, Jesus reminds his disciples of their spiritual privileges. They had very close access to Jesus all the time. They could ask questions and learn from Jesus. Jesus also urged his disciples to see the deeper reality of people. Jesus encouraged them to discern and understand the conditions of people. Just think for a moment what it would be like if we could not use both of our eyes and ears for just one day. The majority of our daily functions are affected. In a similar fashion, Jesus speaks of the reality when people remain blind about the secrets of the kingdom of God.
Third, Jesus’ explanation of the parable (11-15). In this section Jesus explains the meaning of his parable. The seed is the word of God. (11) The kingdom of God primarily grows through the seed of God’s word. Therefore, Bible study is essential in the spiritual growth of the kingdom of God. In I Peter 1:23 we read, “For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God." Great Christian music has its place of importance. Rituals such as communion and baptism have significant benefits for our souls. But the primary means of growth in the kingdom of God is the Word of God. Here, the four heart soils illustrate the condition (at the particular moment) and the habits of heart (the general patterns and tendencies).
A heart with path soil. “Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.” A path has a hard surface to accommodate busy traffic. Likewise, those with a path soil heart are too busy to pay attention to the word of God. People hear the word of God which is quickly forgotten. The devil comes and takes it away from their hearts. Many are not interested in the word of God. Why? They are too busy. They only pay attention to more important matters in this life.
A heart with rocky soil. Look at verse 13: “Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.” Many are excited to hear the word of God. However, their commitment is shallow and temporary. They may hear the word of God occasionally—once a week or once a month or just once in a while. Yet, the commitment is not there. They are happy with the good message but soon forget about it. Plants are exposed to rains, extreme heat, cold, and snows. Likewise, our faith is tested. It is not just sicknesses and death that test our faith. The test of faith is persecutions (i.e., difficulties and challenges) in the course of obeying God. The trouble with the rocky soil is the lack of commitment. Such people fall away in times of trials.
A heart with thorny soil. Look at verse 14: “The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.” These are the souls that are in conflicts. The real source of their problems stem from worries of this life, desires for wealth, and pleasures of this life. What kind of worries? People worry about the jobs, about health, about the weather. They worry about anything in the present and the future. Other thorns are money problems. Some never learn to live within their means. So they always spend more than what they make. This creates money issues all the time. In addition, some have secret pleasures of sin here and there. Emotionally unstable with many worries, the spirit is damaged by money issues and body is ruined with pleasures of sin. Their long term commitment to God is there and yet their daily management is such that they are always in struggles. The soul never feels happy and blessed.
A heart with a good soil. Look at verse 15: “But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.” Jesus’ teaching on the parable of soil is not necessarily deterministic and fatalistic. Over time people change by the grace of God. Some may change from a path soil to good soil. Some may show progress very slowly─from a path soil to rocky soil, then move on to the thorny soil, and finally arrive at the good soil. Then, what can we learn from this teaching of our Lord?
First, pay attention and strive to be good heart soil. All the three soils are important but the most important of all is this good soil. Strive. Practice. Make every effort to be a good soil of heart. What is the fruit of good soil? The fruit is evident in their daily walk with God. This fruit is to become more like Christ Jesus. It is a continuous transformation. This is about godly, healthy, and influential living by the grace of God. This life is godly in a sense that their life honors God and Christ. This life is healthy in that sinful and dysfunctional elements are gone. They manage their lives and live as a new creation. They are influential in that such people help others and impact others’ living with good examples. It is critical to entrust these practices to those who are reliable. Work with those whose hearts are of good soil. (2Ti 2:2)
How do young people of good soil look? In my 20s I believed more on the possibility of changes. As I get older, I see certain patterns of people. In the long run, people are fairly consistent in their habits. For example, those who are not open to the word of God in their 20s are less likely to be open in their 30s. As they get older, the probability of deep commitment to God drastically decreases. Therefore, it is so important to commit in the early 20s. Those who are committed have a sense of priorities in their lives. They practice Jesus’ word, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Mt 6:33) They grow in personal faith. They are able to help others. They discern their spiritual condition. They have mentors that nurture and build up their sound habits of discipline and growth. Most importantly, in their 20s they think through their purpose, direction, and priorities of life according to the words of Christ and his calling. They have a basic decision and a set of directions regarding how they will be living for Christ and his kingdom. One important mark of the majority of people who have been impacted for Christ and his kingdom is that this happened in their 20s and early 30s. These early patterns of life determine the quality, content, and destiny of their lives.
Second, engage in the ministry of God’s word and pray for those who are not in good soil. This passage emphasizes the power of the word of God. We read the word of God. We study the word of God. We meditate the word of God. This word of God becomes the seed for us to bear fruit. This commitment to the word of God matters. It is important to pray for those whose hearts are like path, rocky, and thorny soil. Many are unresponsive toward the word of God. Many are very cautious in committing to God. Instead of quickly assessing who they are in terms of these types of heart soil, it is important to pray for them. In the deep pastoral level, God wants us to discern the condition of our own heart and others’ as well. If we can change the hearts of people, then it is possible to change their lives. If we change their lives, then we can change their destiny. For this reason we pray for others. We study the word of God. We must pray others, for their needs—their worries, their pleasures, and their priorities. We must pray—sometimes weep and pray. Always pray and never give up. (Lk 18:1) Somehow they then can also become good soils that bear 30, 60, and 100 fold fruit.
September 13, 2009; Dr. Paul Hong; Toledo, UBF
Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
