Sowing the seed

One time the disciples of Jesus asked him, "Why do you always tell stories when you talk to the people?"   We call them parables, but in reality they are stories from everyday life which are easily understood. However, their application to the things of the Kingdom of God is not always immediately detected. 

Jesus assured his followers that they are permitted to understand the things of the Kingdom of Heaven but there are some who aren't.  He continued by saying that to those who are open and receptive, more understanding will be given.  Jesus then addressed the issue of those who don't understand his stories. Look at Matthew 13:14-15 which incidentally is a fulfillment of prophecy. 

“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."   

The story Jesus had told which prompted the questioning of the disciples, was about a farmer who went out to sow seed on his land. Some of that seed fell on the footpath and just lay there on the hardened soil, and the birds came and ate the exposed seed. Other seed fell on shallow soil which was rocky underneath and could not develop a proper root system. so the young plants died quickly. Still other seed fell on soil that contained weeds, and the weeds choked out the desired plants.  But then Jesus says other seed fell on good soil and produced the anticipated crop, some thirty, some sixty, and some a hundred fold. 

The application of this story to the people who he described as "ever hearing but never understanding, " and "ever seeing but never perceiving," can help us know why the disciples asked their question.  How does it all connect?  What was he talking about. planting seeds or seeing and hearing?

Jesus enlightened us all when he explained that in the story, the seed is the word of God and the soil represents the hearts of man. So in reality he is saying that some hearts are hardened to the point that the word of God cannot penetrate them, and becoming an abiding source of understanding.  Also, some hearts are so shallow, the word cannot establish the necessary root system in a heart. This type of heart might demonstrate a good beginning but when faced with the problems and storms of life, the lack of a deep hold on the things of God will bring failure. Third, that heart that is contaminated by those sins we will not let go, is a heart that will allow the word of God to be choked out.  The good, fertile heart which is prepared to receive the word, is the one that will successfully bring forth the desired growth, even in varying degrees of thirty, sixty, and a hundred fold. 

I hope you were able to catch the cause of people hearing but not understanding, and seeing but not perceiving.  Jesus said it is because their hearts are calloused.  Now his story makes sense.  

 "Lord Jesus, may our hearts be open and receptive to receive the Word, and may you always be welcome to abide in hearts that have been given to you.  Amen."

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