We’ll continue on with our study from Luke 8. I hope you were able to read the verses I mentioned yesterday. Luke 8:1-15.
Each time I’ve planted a garden there have always been conditions with the soil. My first garden was in soil that was hard and unforgiving. It had to be soaked constantly so the seeds could grow.
Then there was the garden in Idaho. It was a big, beautiful garden and Dave used a rototiller to prepare the soil, but he had to do it carefully because there were so many rocks under the surface. (That’s when I learned why some homes are called fieldstones.)
The Montana garden also had poor soil, but it had another problem too. Varmits! I think I would have rather had thorns in my garden than the rodents.
My last garden in southern AZ was the best but the ground had to be worked the most. It was a sticky, clay type soil with rocks. I screened all the dirt to get out the rocks, small and large. Once that was done, I mixed bags and bags of processed garden soil mix in with it. My plants loved it and they thrived.
Soil prep is key to a good harvest. Jesus knew that!
“This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is God’s word. 12 The seeds that fell on the footpath represent those who hear the message, only to have the devil come and take it away from their hearts and prevent them from believing and being saved. 13 The seeds on the rocky soil represent those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they believe for a while, then they fall away when they face temptation. 14 The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity. 15 And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.” Luke 8:11-15 NLT
Shortly after Jesus had finished this teaching, He told the disciples to get in the boat and go to the other side of the lake. Jesus laid down to take a nap. A storm came up and they thought they were going to drown. They woke Jesus!
“When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm. 25 Then he asked them, “Where is your faith?” Luke 8:23-24 NLT
Jesus had just told them that the Word of God was the seed He was sowing and the devil would come immediately try to steal it. God’s word to the disciples had been “let’s go to the other side”, not let’s go halfway across and drown.
Jesus’ question regarding their faith was legitimate – he could have asked why the seed fell on thorny ground. Why did they let the cares of life choke out the Word?
Many times, I have had to recognize the thorny cares of life I have allowed to grow and pull them out so God’s word could take root. How about you?
It’s important that we protect the seed!