Jesu Juva
Matthew 13:13 Jesus said, “For they look, but they don’t really see. They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand.” WEB 1
The harshness of the Gospel is kind.
The Gospel warns lost people that separation from God is real. It is the price paid for rejecting Christs’ Gift of redemption.
Do you believe that? I do. But I used to feel the need to defend God when it came to hard scripture. Now I am thankful for having received God’s Gospel and believed it. Without the help of the Spirit of God, I could never have received it or trusted it’s Truth. No one could.
For this study, I think the best way to have clarity is to unwrap the story as Jesus tells it. Before we begin, why not ask the Holy Spirit to help us with our own understanding. He is our Teacher.
1 John 2:27 “…the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true…” WEB2
If we just give a cursory glance at the parable in today’s study, we may think that Jesus was harsh and unfair. Let’s see how Jesus opens the parable in Matthew 13:12-13 NLT3 (please click the links or have your Bible nearby).
Jesus told the crowd that if they were intentionally listening to understand He would help them. He even promised to give them understanding with abundance.
But in this passage, Jesus said the parables would not be understood by those who didn’t care to hear. These were people with hard hearts. Jesus knew that they would not hear and believe. For that reason, Jesus spoke in parables. Maybe that seems harsh and unfair to you. That’s why scripture must be read in context and with a prayerful heart.
We know that by reading John 3:17, that Jesus came for every lost soul and was not willing for anyone to perish. But the seed of life, the Gospel, is being sown in the dark world. People have the choice to reject life. These are the people who would never understand any of the parables.
Matthew 13:14-15 NLT4 You will notice this passage tells us that the people would close their own eyes. The end of the passage reveals God’s sorrow for the lost “their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to Me and let Me heal them.”
The Seed that fell on the footpath of hard ground.
Matthew 13:19 When anyone hears the word of the Kingdom and doesn’t understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away that which has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown by the roadside. WEB 5
Jesus begins the parable with the illustration of the seed that falls on the footpath. Matthew 13:18-19 6This represents people who have had the seed of the Gospel laid on their hearts, but they haven’t taken it into their hearts. They are either disinterested or don’t understand it and don’t care to pursue the truth. Satan quickly snatches it away. Do you know people facing this danger? Pray for them. Share the Gospel. Do not argue or nag. Jesus never did.
The Seed that fell on Rocky Ground
Matthew 13: 20-21 The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. WEB 7
Matthew 13:20-21 talks about the people who receive the Gospel with joy, at first. But these seeds fall on rocky ground. There is a thin layer of soil (learning the Word). It begins to grow and mature. But life happens. Maybe they are ostracized by other unbelievers in their lives. Some just struggle with the daily day. So, God gets put on a shelf. Some may actually have been redeemed. Those will never lose their salvation. Yet, they are living their lives abusing the grace of Christ. Others in this scenario, falsely believe they are redeemed because they know about Jesus. Just knowing about Jesus is not the same as giving your life to Him. Examine your faith. Be sure. Use the resources below. Pray for those who are struggling. Life is hard. Jesus is nearby. Psalm 34:18
The Seed that fell on Thorny Ground.
Matthew 13:22 What was sown on the good ground, this is he who hears the word and understands it, who most certainly bears fruit and produces, some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty.” WEB 8
Matthew 13:22 The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is pushed back with spiritual laziness or the desires of this life and the lure of wealth. No fruit is produced. Wealth isn’t the only distraction for a body of believers. Think of what may be replacing God in your life. Don’t judge others that have fallen to this trap. Pray for them.
The Seed that fell on Good Soil.
Matthew 13:23 The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”
Matthew 13:23 This is the verse that represents the believers that are walking with their Savior and Friend. They know how to follow God’s plan for their lives. They are not perfect at all. They have no promises of wealth, worldly happiness and health. Rather, these believers love living for Jesus. They know the difference between happiness and joy. They are quick to confess sins and to stay connected to God by reading the Bible, talking to God and enjoying the fellowship of other believers. They love being in Church (Church with capital “C” is the Body of Christs’ believers, not a building).
Just like non-believers, Christians still experience sorrow and hardship of every kind. But contentment in the faith is very real. They have sorrow for lost people, and they want to tell them about Jesus. These people remember what life was like before giving their hearts to Jesus. They would never go back.
I hope the seed of the Gospel has found a place in your heart. I hope that you are exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit. That is one test for true salvation. Check out the resources below for more help with questions.
Galatians 5:22-26 … love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 9
Soli Deo Gloria!
Resources
Getting the Seed out of the basket and into hungry hearts. Matthew 13 