Do You Have a Good Heart?

 N.T.#536  "Do You Have a Good Heart?"

April 24, 2025 

Luke 8-Part 3

LET IT GLOW

Jesus gave His crowd plus disciples a parable of the seed/soil for a life lesson to consider. In the last post we discussed the details of the 4 various types of ground the seed full upon whenever the farmer sowed them-a wayside path, rocks, thorns, and fertile soil.

Jesus explained what each soil type represented, spiritually speaking, in simple terms:

• The seed is the Word of God. (verse 11) Only the seed remains the same, but the soil changes. 
• The farmer could be anyone: a pastor, an evangelist, a writer, a Christian in the workplace, a teacher, students; anyone who communicates God's truths. Success depends upon the soil, not the sower. The soils represent the hearts or minds of people. The farmer plants seeds of the Word taking it to others. 
• First is the wayside or pathway soil. This heart is hardened and uncultivated soil. The Word of God is never given a chance to sprout and put down roots because the person remains impervious, allowing the devil to pluck it from the surface. These people are "beside-the-road-soil people and will not believe, thus well not be saved. (verse 12)
• The second kind of soil, rocky soil, represents those who hear the message and receive it with joy. (verse 13) Yet, it doesn't last since their roots are not deep in the Word. They fall the last away as soon as problems or persecution comes. This is an emotional and superficial person, without roots deep in the Word. They lack spending time studying the Word, and with God, living in obedience to His Word, and serving others.
• The third kind of soil is choked-with-thorns soil. (verse 14) The message is crowded out by the worries of this life, lure of wealth, desire for other things, so no fruit is produced. (Like kudzu in the south, which grows rapidly and choked out other plants.) They produce no spiritual fruit.
• The last type of soil is good soil. It represents those who hear and accept the Word of God, then produce fruit and a harvest. They have an honest and good heart, hear and keep the Word, so they bring people to Jesus and share His Word with patience. They seek Truth and welcome reproof, confess sin, and seek changes.

[Resources: New Living Translation Chronological Bible, Swindoll's Living Insights on Luke, Liberty Bible Commentary]

Which type of soil is your heart? Is God's Word working in your life?

LET IT GROW

Jesus rebuked the first three kinds of soil/hearts. The main purpose of Jesus' parable was to reveal the obstacles to the Word's full potential. The main things is our discipling others, sharing the Gospel, living the Word, maturing faith, producing fruit. Pray for the baby Christian and encourage them.

Is this you and me?

I appreciate your faithfulness to study the Word with me. 

LET IT GO

Jesus, produce fruit in me and through me.

Help me let go of the past hurts and live in the now for You.

Your love and forgiveness never fail.

Glory to God in the Highest, grace and mercy never cease!