Because humans have the power of choice, some hearts listen to God’s will and others do not. Jesus gave people this power, and He would not force His message on any unwilling person. He taught in parables that let seekers who wanted truth discover it, while others who did not want truth missed it (Matthew 13:10-16). A “parable” tells a story from ordinary life to convey a spiritual truth. At times, Jesus explained His story’s lesson. At other times, He left it unexplained so that listeners (and we) would give deeper thought to discern its meaning. Usually, a parable gives one basic lesson. Its details help to develop the story, but they should not be overworked for extra meanings other than the main point.
In a famous parable, Jesus likens hearts to soils. The story is simple: A farmer sows seed that falls on various soils. Birds snatch up the seeds that fall on the hard path. Seeds on rocky ground have a short life. Seeds on thorny ground get a start but thorns crowd them out. Seeds on good soil grow and produce grain. Jesus explains the parable this way:
- “The seed is the word of God” (Luke 8:11).
- The birds represent the devil who “comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved” (Luke 8:12).
- “The ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away” (Luke 8:13).
- “As for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature” (Luke 8:14).
- The good soil represents receptive hearts, as shown by the verses that follow:
As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience. (Luke 8:15)
As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty. (Matthew 13:23)
But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold. (Mark 4:20)
Why, in some parallel passages, is the wording slightly different? Jesus was with the disciples continually, giving plenty of opportunity for further discussion and elaboration. He Himself might have made His point in various ways. At times, as with some Old Testament quotations, the writer may be paraphrasing. We often do that in our conversations and still give the meaning accurately; how much more, then, when the Holy Spirit guides the report. Combining Matthew, Mark and Luke gives us the full meaning of Jesus’ thought. The receptive heart is “honest and good.” That applies even to the worst of sinners. They are honest enough to admit their sins (Mark 1:5) and their need to be saved (Acts 2:37; 16:30). They make the good choice. With such an attitude, God is gracious and opens their hearts to His message (Acts 16:14). While still sinners, they understand and accept the
message (Colossians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 2:13). As took place in Jerusalem, those who receive the word obey it and are added to the saved (Acts 2:41, 47).
In the parable, Jesus was not locking people into their current soil types. Jesus’ constant call was for people to repent—literally, to change the mind (Luke 5:32; 13:3). You do not have to remain hard or shallow or strangled by worldly pressures. You can choose to be responsive and productive. Choose to be honest with God’s word and your own need. Receive God’s saving seed, the word of God, the Good News of Jesus (1 Peter 1:3, 12, 22-25). It is understandable! God gave each of us ears for hearing, a mind for understanding, and a heart for responding! Therefore, as Jesus calls out in concluding the parable (Luke 8:8): “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”