God in Sandals: Transformational Encounters With the Word Made FleshSample

The Master Explains

Reflect on the explanation of the parable that Christ gave His disciples (Matt. 13:18–23). What things “compete” with the Word? What responsibility do we have in terms of results? Can we be more efficient in our work?

The disciples did not understand the parable of the sower, and it would have been difficult for us too. They approached Jesus for an explanation, and He gave them one. In this, we see one of His qualities as a teacher.

Jesus did not take for granted that His disciples would understand what He taught; instead, He set things up so He could lead them deeper into His subjects through discussion. Good teachers are always available to their students.

Christ identified four different kinds of people in whose lives spiritual seed was sown. The first one, on whom seed was sown at the side of the road, hears the word but doesn’t understand it. The word is snatched away by the Enemy because there is no fertile soil for it to take root in. In such a case the word has no chance to work, as it is lost immediately.

The other kinds of people, however, do receive the word. The second person, says the Lord, “receives it with joy” (Matt. 13:20). This acceptance, however, seems to be mainly based on fleeting emotions. Great happiness is expressed on hearing the Good News, but there is no understanding of the cost of following Christ.

“When affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away” (13:21). This is the person who does not stop to think about the consequences of the decision. This is why it is not good to lead people to a decision for Christ by manipulating their emotions. We might be sure of their initial response, but their decision will rarely persist.

The third person also hears the word, which takes root and begins to grow. But another problem develops: “The worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful” (13:22).

The call to follow Christ demands an absolute response. It is not possible to follow the Lord halfheartedly, even though the church includes a great number of people who try to maintain such a position. Week after week they live under the strain of financial and business pressures, trying to keep their Christianity alive through faithful attendance at church. But the external factors choke the word, which will eventually die.

The fourth person “hears the word and understands it” (13:23). This doesn’t mean intellectual comprehension but spiritual understanding. The apostle James refers to this when he says that those who hear and obey the word are blessed (1:25).

The Lord desires a much deeper response from us than the exclamation “What a good word!” If we do not get our lives in line with God’s Word, they will be lost.