by David Brenneman
"When a large crowd was coming together, and those from the various cities were journeying to Him, He spoke by way of a parable: “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. Other seed fell on rocky soil, and as soon as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. Other seed fell among the thorns; and the thorns grew up with it and choked it out. 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.” His disciples began questioning Him as to what this parable meant. And He said, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is in parables, so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand. Now the parable is this: the seed is the word of God. Those beside the road are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they will not believe and be saved. Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away. The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity. But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance. Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed; but he puts it on a lampstand, so that those who come in may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light. So take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him.” And His mother and brothers came to Him, and they were unable to get to Him because of the crowd. And it was reported to Him, “Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, wishing to see You.” But He answered and said to them, “My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.”" Luke 8:4-21
How often to we hear but aren't listening? Last night when I was reading this passage it literally leapt off the page at me that every part of this reading has to do with aspects of hearing and actually listening.
It's also, in part why, the reason that while I use 4 study Bibles, 1 time through 1 is my listening to the Bible being read rather than my reading it like the rest.
Used to be in Church that whenever the Scriptures were read that the people were to stand out of respect for the reading of God's Word.
How are your listening skills when it comes to the Word of God?
We will be evaluated concerning our intake of the Word of God. We will indeed. So how will you fare?
We're easily indoctrinated to glue ourselves to small, medium, large and extra large screens. It's just how Satan's schemes have worked their way into our minds.
The sower in this passage is Jesus.
What we do with what we hear is on us. In my studies, more than one writer of the study notes believes that these segments of what happened to the seed was directed at everyone Jesus has been or will be talking to. It included the Pharisees, the Sadducies, the scribes, the Gentiles, the Jewish people. It refers to everyone.
Literally the absolute truth is that every single human being will know that the love of Christ was indeed poured out for them. What they did upon hearing that absolute truth is on them. Jesus knows who will receive it with gladness and receive His free gift of salvation and who will reject it. Jesus knows who will listen and who will not.
He know how much you have listened and how often you've been not listening to Him.
He knows.
What you have done with what I guarantee you have heard will impact your eternity.
Read that again.
What you have done with what I guarantee you have heard will impact your eternity.
What you hear and obey in Christ impacts your eternity just as much as what you hear and ignore or even outright disobey in.
So how are your listening skills? How important is your sanctification to you? It's of utmost importance to Jesus. He was crucified to provide the way unto salvation and in that to sanctify all who listen unto Himself.
Our purpose isn't our hobbies, our jobs, or even our families. Jesus said to deny ourselves, take up our own cross and follow Him.
This is what truly listening with all your heart to what is important to your Savior and Lord Jesus Christ is all about.
What runs through your mind when you're 'idle'? What do you spend your time listening to? The Disciples stayed with Jesus as close to 24/7 as was possible to take in everything He would teach them. Some Disciples were away from family for extended periods of time.
How seriously do you take your listening to the Spirit when He speaks to you? Believe me He does speak to you.
Be careful how you listen.
Be careful of who you listen to.
Be careful of what you you listen to.
Hold fast to what you have learned in Christ...it has every bearing on your eternity. Listen well...
All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
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