#45 Luke 8:11-15 Seed On Good Soil
On November 14, 2021 by Amy BurginJoy: Episode#45 Luke 8:11 – 15
Welcome
Amy:
Welcome to The Christgazing Podcast. We are so glad you’re here. I’m Amy Burgin.
Joy:
I’m Joy Burgin.
Amy:
If you are anything like us, you desire God’s presence and divine direction every day of your life. This podcast makes space for that. We offer few words of our own here and make room for Christgazing, the act of looking steadily and intently at Christ. Each week we read a passage from scripture several times and create stillness after each reading that we might be still ourselves and know God.
We are in a series that takes us through the book of Luke. At this point in the series, Jesus and his twelve disciple begin a tour where Jesus is preaching from city to city. Some women whom Jesus healed from evil spirits and sicknesses went along, supporting them from their private means. The text names three women: Mary Magdalene, who Jesus delivered from seven demons; Joanna, the wife of King Herod’s business manager; and Susanna.
While a large crowd gathered to hear him, Jesus told this parable:
A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with them and choked the plants. Still, other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.
As he gave this illustration, he called out, “If anyone has listening ears, use them now!”
His disciples asked him what the story meant, which brings us to the scripture Joy will read today.
Pour Out Your Heart to God
Amy:
Before we begin, take the next minute to give God the things stored up in your body, your mind, and your heart. Maybe it is gratitude, anxiety, excitement, grief, hope, joy, exhaustion, or peace. Whatever your body feels, your mind thinks, or your heart desires, name it and bring it to the Lord in these next few moments.
What Does This Passage Say About God?
Joy:
As I read today’s passage, consider the question, what does this say about God?
Luke 8:11 – 15 “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.
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.
Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing, they fall away.
The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way, they are choked by life’s worries, riches, and pleasures, and they do not mature.
But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.”
Again?
Luke 8:11 – 15 “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.
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.
Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing, they fall away.
The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way, they are choked by life’s worries, riches, and pleasures, and they do not mature.
But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.”
Take the next few moments to answer the question, what does this passage say about God?
[Pause and know]What Does This Passage Say About People?
Joy:
As I reread the scripture, consider the question: What does this passage tell you about people?
Luke 8:11 – 15 “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.
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.
Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing, they fall away.
The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way, they are choked by life’s worries, riches, and pleasures, and they do not mature.
But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.”
Take the next minute to answer the question: What does this passage tell you about people?
[Pause and know]Lord, What Would You Have Me Know or Do Today?
Joy:
As I read for the last time, ask God the question, “Lord, what would you have me know or do today in response to this passage?”
Luke 8:11 – 15 “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.
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.
Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing, they fall away.
The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way, they are choked by life’s worries, riches, and pleasures, and they do not mature.
But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.”
Take the next minute to ask God, “Lord, what do you want me to know or do today in response to this passage?”
[Pause and listen]Blessing
Joy:
Christgazer, the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. May you keep your face turned toward Jesus today, hear his word, retain it, and by persevering, produce a crop.
One Response
Amy:
When Jesus told the parable, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear!” The Living Bible paraphrase puts it like this, “He who has listening ears, use them now!”
My day job includes working on a highly effective team that develops web applications for NASA space missions. Culture is critical to our success, and one of the things we value the most is communication, and within that area, the ability to listen and learn. When we hire, we look for someone who exhibits this ability. But how can you determine if a person is a good listener? We do it by sharing information in the interview process and then waiting to see if the interviewee asks questions. A good listener asks questions.
When Jesus gave the illustration, did anyone understand it? Even his disciples did not understand it, but they were the ones who listened well because they were the ones who went to Jesus and asked him to explain it.
Perhaps that is a key to having good soil, being a good listener by asking Jesus about everything.
When times of testing come, ask Jesus.
When life’s worries choke us, ask Jesus.
When life’s riches or pleasures choke us, ask Jesus.
When we don’t understand, ask Jesus.
Closing
Amy:
As always, you can find a transcript of this episode at amyburgin.com. Joy and I will be back again next week to go Christgazing together. Until then, remember with us, when you put your trust in Christ, you are one in whom he dwells and delights, a dearly loved child of God. You are royalty in his strong and unshakeable kingdom. Though trouble abounds, Christ prevails, and so do you.
So beautiful, heartfelt, unique and full reaching!!! Thank you both!
Thank you for encouraging us Solus!!! You are a blessing!