Along the Path

Yesterday, we shared the parable often called "The Sower and The Seed."  Jesus shared this story with a crowd of people who had gathered that day.  Now, he is alone with those closest to him, and they want to know what the story meant.

His disciples asked him what this parable meant. (Luke 8:9 NIV)

These are the twelve that Jesus hand-selected to be his Apostles.  While one would fall away and be replaced, these men would be the primary witnesses to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.  They would be there on the day of Pentecost, preaching in languages they have never learned.  They would help thousands of people make the transition from no faith to faith in Jesus as the Christ.  They would be responsible for the writings we now have in the New Testament.  This was Jesus' team.

He 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.' (Luke 8:10 NIV)

He first explains his reason for speaking in parables.  He is fulfilling yet another prophecy about the Messiah, the Christ who would save the world.  After explaining this important piece of information, Jesus goes on to explain the story itself.

"This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. (Luke 8:11 NIV)

Before we go any further, I would like to ask you to look at this story through a specific lens.  Put yourself in the position of the farmer who is sowing the seed.  The seed is the word of God.  You are planting seeds of faith in the people around you.  You plant them in your friend, special friend, fiance, or spouse.  You plant them in your niece, nephew, child, or grandchild.  You plant seeds in your neighbors, co-workers, or fellow church members.  You plant seeds of God's word wherever you plant them.

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. (Luke 8:12 NIV)

Here's what Jesus is saying.  Some of those seeds will not take root.  Some will not sprout at all.  They are like seeds falling on a hard path, so they get trampled on and snatched away by the devil.  You didn't do anything wrong.  You planted the seed as God asked.  They simply do not grow because of the condition of their heart.  The seed fell along the path.

When we are building into other people some of them will respond in this way.  Don't be discouraged.  Just because they say "no" to your invitation does not mean that you have failed.  There is more at play than your part here.  Don't let that stop you from doing your part, though.  You don't know the condition of their heart.  You don't know whether the seed is falling on a hard path or someplace else.  Be faithful.  Keep spreading the seeds of God's word.

How about you?  Do you spread the seeds of God's word?  Do you get discouraged sometimes?  Do you wonder why the seed does not grow?  Do you see why Jesus didn't want his apostles to get discouraged?  Does Jesus' encouragement help you?