Day 14: Luke 8:1-21

After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 3 Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.

4 While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: 5 “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. 6 Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.”

When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”

9 His disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10 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.’

11 “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 12 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. 13 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. 14 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. 15 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.

In this famous parable, Jesus is seeking to communicate a simple truth to His followers. The Word of God will be heard by many people, but it is the people with a “noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and persevere” who are truly fruitful in God’s Kingdom. It is the very presence of the seed that reveals the nature of the soil around it. The seed is scattered everywhere and In most cases, the Word of God will not flourish. But when the seed lands in fertile soil, roots grow and crops are produced, much larger than even expected.

Consider the soil of your innermost self, of your heart, right now. When the Word of God lands on it, what does it reveal?

Talk with the Spirit about the soil of your heart. See what It has to say to you.

As the Scripture continues, listen for the words “listen” and “hear”…

16 “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. 17 For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. 18 Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them.”

19 Now Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. 20 Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.”

21 He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”

Did you hear the words “listen” and “hear?” Jesus is sharing the truth that God’s word is like a lamp, bringing light to the dark places and giving light to see clearly. So we should be careful how we listen to the Word of God. 

Jesus is sharing the amazing truth that those who hear and practice God’s word are His true family, closer to Him than His biological family.

Spend time praying over this experience of hearing God’s word in your life as you spend 50 Days in Luke. Pray you may be careful how you listen, and that you may hear God’s word and put it into practice.

Is there an action you can take today based on your hearing of the Gospel of Luke thus far?