Are you listening? (Amos 1-3; Matt 13)

The parable of the soils/sower (Matthew 13) is famous. But what does it mean? Jesus wasn’t giving us a lesson in farming, He was holding up a mirror and challenging those who hear His Word how they will respond. He was also training the disciples that when they go and speak about Jesus they should expect mixed results.

Jesus explains the parable in Matthew 13:18-23. We’re not left guessing as to what it means. The seed is the Word of God, some people are so hardened to the gospel, that they are like a path, the seed does not even penetrate their hearts. They sit proudly in church with a face that says to the preacher “you’re not getting through to me”. Sadly Jesus warns, that such a person will have God’s Word stolen from them.

Others look more promising, someone hears the message about Jesus, and is amazed that they can be forgiven, amazed they can have peace with God, amazed that God would love enough to send His Son into the world to die. And yet, when they start trying to live out their new faith, they are mocked, called names and face the cold shoulder at social gatherings. It’s not worth it, they think, and they give up. Perhaps when the gospel was explained to them, they were never told the cost of following Jesus. It’s an important reminder that we are not only to let people know the incredible benefits of following Jesus, but also the cost, the need to die to ourself, to be prepared to be hated by others for our beliefs.

The third group also believe initially, but then a relationship comes along, or something that means they keep missing church, or just the desire for wealth and comfort chokes out God’s Word. When we share God’s good news, we need to warn people about temptation, and teach them to pray that we would find Christ more satisfying than anything or anyone else.

There seems to be a lot of wasted seed! This is the way of our generous God. The message is held out, offered to many, but only some truly accept it. But look what happens to them.

The one who hears and allows God’s Word to go deeply into their life is changed by God and has a wonderfully fruitful life. This may be in changed life, that others see new priorities, a new character. It may be that such a person has seen how wonderful Jesus is that they want to tell others. As such a person goes on in the Christian life, the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, self-control, gentleness) is seen.

Lord God, please help us to be those who listen to your Word every day. Please give us soft hearts to receive your Word and to allow your Word to grow in our lives. Please change us to be more like Jesus. Please give us courage to share your Word with others, and not to be put off by mixed results.

Thank you that Jesus always listened to your Word perfectly, and died for every time I fail. May your grace motivate me to listen to you more and more. Amen