SOWER

 

Luke 8:5-8
“A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it. ⁶ Some fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture. ⁷ And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. ⁸ But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold.”

  

Jesus shared a parable and it relates much to one’s life situations, one way or another. Surely anyone may have experienced these life situations before but ultimately where are we in right now or after these experiences?

 

My concern is, today are you still with Jesus? You must and should have because Jesus loves you and has installed something precious concerning your future destiny. That is, your eternal salvation.

 

The psalmist in chapter 18 was once in trial and temptation in his life that he recounted that God was still his strength, rock and deliverer in the midst of it. More importantly, he trusted in His salvation.

Psalm 18:1-2 (NKJV)
I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold....           

 

Jesus teaches the story of a sower (a planter). He said as a farmer sowed, seeds scattered randomly around. They either fell on the good or bad soil. 

 

Seeds Fell On The Wayside

Seeds fell on the wayside were trampled because people walked everywhere and so, on the waysides. In addition, the birds who saw these seeds would come and feast on them. Therefore, sad to say, these seeds have no chance of survival.

 

Walkways reminded us of people who stayed outside the boundary of God’s love and protection or outside the trust and faith unknowingly.

John 10:10
The thief (evil one) does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I (Jesus) have come that they may have live, and that they may have it more abundantly. 

 

Some deterrence are such as fear of family’s disapproval, fear of losing friendships, fear of rejection. At other times, one chooses to stay away from God to avoid drastic and radical changes.

 

Seeds Fell On Rocks

 

Seeds scattered on a ground that is rocky, lack of soils, sunshine and moisture will likely not sprout but die in the end.

 

Rocks reminded us of hardness. People can hear the gospel but deep in their heart has a rock that blocked God’s truth. Hence, no matter how others tried to share the gospel to them, the truth (nutrients to the seed) cannot be penetrated because their hearts are hardened. They hear but continue to have unbelief and stay unaffected.

 

In addition, seeds fell on the rocks may pertain to people already believed in Jesus Christ but their hearts are not pliable. They heard His words but continue to walk the opposite or sinful ways, contrary to His teaching. They end up leaving God or still hanging in, but blinded.

 

Bible says such people are foolish because they have trusted themselves more than God. They may have attained a head of knowledge, intelligent and successful but their lives are empty and perplex. Nevertheless, bible says all people, wise or foolish, die and bring nothing with them one day.

Psalm 49:10
For he sees wise men die; Likewise the fool and the senseless person perish (die, expire), and leave their wealth to others. 

    

Seeds Fell on Thorns

 

Seeds that fell among thorns get choked or strangled and at last they died.

 

Thorns reminded me of difficulties of life. Life is not smooth sailing. I remembered someone I knew who believed in Jesus during her school days. Later she got married but her marriage life turned into a traumatic life experience because her husband was not of the same faith (means same belief) with her. Slowly, she also stopped attending church. When her marriage failed, she was disappointed with God and left her faith. She failed to realize that a person’s change is dependence on one’s choice and God cannot influence that freewill to choose or decide a flippant action. Meaning if a person has decided to commit suicide, even if the word of God clearly said ‘NO’, that person still ignores and leaps. It becomes a choice or decision self-willed. God should not be blamed, neither a family member should continue to live in sadness or regret if the loved one chose to terminate his life prematurely. 

 

Thorns are difficulties a person faced that potentially choked them until they could not breathe. Eventually they turned miserable and left their faith.

People change and life is full of ups and downs but God remains faithful to us forever and  to all generations. We know we can trust in His words and it will endure (remain, survive, last) now on earth and until it is settled in Heaven.

Psalm 119:89-90 (NKJV)
Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven. Your faithfulness endures to all generations;

 

Seeds Fell On Good Ground

 

Jesus said seeds fell on good ground would yield into a crop (means fruitfulness). Bible mentioned that the fruitfulness means plentiful and the yield (outcome, produce) can mean hundred and thousand folds.

 

Good ground reminded me of people living in good land or environment and they are those who are drawn close to God. They come to church to worship God. They receive spiritual support, encouragement, godly influences and prayers from spiritual family (church) and friends. They grow from one person and draw others to God. That is fruitfulness! Seeds fell on the good ground are protected by God.

 

If you ever thought that you are alone and no one is praying for you. You may be presently surprised that God often assigns His people to cover you in prayer faithfully and quietly until you are not aware! ☺

 

A few years back, I had the opportunities to minister to three boys who had ever contemplated suicide and one of them almost leaped and lost his life if the police did not intervene timely.

 

Today, these three boys chose to stay in the good ground and their lives have been impacted and changed significantly. God has blessed their lives with His goodness and love after the incident. They are attending church regularly and mentally and emotionally growing to be more positive, steady and healthy. Today they are completely healed and have walk out of their depression. Life to these three boys means hope and fruitfulness in the Lord once again.

 

Which environments are your seed planted right now? Can you identify the scenarios you are in? What is God telling you to do and to obey Him?

 

May God help you to stay continuously in the good ground.

 

Prayer:

Dear God, may You lead and guide me to know You more and more each day. Teach me your Word because bible says all things will pass away but Your word will by no means pass away. They will forever be established and settled in Heaven. Guide and show me how to be planted in the good ground so that my life is so fruitful and yield a good crop in the end. May my life be so fruitful to the extent that not only I am blessed but also others, especially my family members.  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!