Life to the FullSample

A World-Changing Gospel

Have you ever been at school or in church and been listening to the teacher or pastor talk and realised you have not been paying attention at all? You are hearing the words but are not registering or understanding them? Do not worry, you are not the only one! However, Jesus warns us of this when it comes to hearing His word. He does this by preaching a parable (which He did A LOT!).

Today’s devotion focuses on the Parable of the Sower in the book of Luke.

In this parable, starting at Verse 5, a farmer went out to plant his seeds and he spread them all over - some seeds fell on thorns, some fell along a path, some fell on rocky ground and some fell on good soil. However, the only soil that allowed the plant to grow healthily, was the good soil. The seeds scattered across the thorns, the path and the rocky ground, did not produce a healthy plant because the ground in which it was scattered could not facilitate the plant’s growth. The seeds on the path were eaten by crows, the seeds on the rocky ground grew, but rapidly withered due to there being no moisture, and the seeds that were planted on the thorns were eventually choked by the thorns which did not allow them to grow.

The disciples had heard this and were baffled and did not understand how this was relevant to their lives, so in Verse 9 they asked Jesus what the parable had meant. Jesus elaborated and said that the seed represents the Word of God. The seed that fell on the path and was eaten by birds represents people who hear the Word of God, but the devil snatches it away before it can flourish. The seed that fell on the rocky ground that grew and withered, represents those who understand the Word of God, but have no root. The seed that fell on the thorns but was choked out represents those who hear God’s Word, but are too busy worrying about other things to grow. And finally, the seed that was planted on good soil stands for people who have a good heart and clean hands, and as a result of this, the seed produces a crop.

Ultimately, what this parable is trying to get at, is that for us to fully receive the Word of God and for it to not just be head knowledge but also heart knowledge, we must have strong faith in Jesus. This is the only way in which we can fully receive the Word of God. So what does it look like to have strong faith? Having strong faith is not just about reading the Bible or chucking on a couple of worship songs when your life is going great and things are going well for you. Having strong faith is about connecting with God and doing those things when life is difficult. Whether it’s due to exams, friend group stress or social media pressure, it is so important that we continue to press into God’s Word and live out a life that is honouring to him. This will create the good soil that Jesus talks about in the parable and will give us strong faith. I strongly recommend you read the parable as written in the Bible from Verses 4-15 and ask yourself the following questions:

Questions

Is there anything preventing you from having strong faith?

Are there any people in your life or any situations and circumstances that you need to give to God?

God is not just the Lord, but He is also our Father and so He wants to hear about whatever it is!

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You, for the Word that You gave to us. Please help me to live a life that is of strong faith that will allow me to receive Your Word to its fullness. I pray I will have a greater depth to my faith so that even during tough times, I will continue to stay plugged into my faith and live a life that honours You.

In Jesus’ name.

Amen.