Why God's Word is So Powerful ... Especially In Times Like These!

In high school, I worked in the landscaping business. We did a lot of planting of flowers, bushes, and laying down fresh sod.  We never just planted sod or plants without preparing the ground first.  The bottom line is we tried to create the best possible conditions so that what we planted would survive and thrive. In Luke 8 Jesus uses the metaphor of sowing seed to illustrate how people grow and produce fruit spiritually.

The Parable of the Sower
While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: 5 “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. 6 Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.”

Since many people were farmers in Jesus' day, he used an illustration from agriculture to teach a spiritual truth.  We call these stories "parables", which are basically earthly stories with a heavenly meaning.  Parables were stories that had different details, but all led to a single conclusion.  In jokes we call this the "punchline".  Some people get it and some don't.  

Today's parable gives four different scenarios of four different soil conditons and what happens to the seed when it is planted in each of them.  In each of the scenarios where the seed doesn't grow, there is something that thwarts the growth process.  The environment in which the seed is planted directly affects whether the seed will yield a crop.  Then Jesus does something unusual, he interprets the meaning of the parable. 

11 “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. 14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. 15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

Jesus explains why three of the soils prevent the seed from bearing fruit. Importantly he states the "seed" represents the Word of God. The first seed fell on the pathway and the devil snatched it away. There are plenty of people who hear the Good News of Jesus and it never takes root. It doesn't even have a chance. As we seek to reach unbelievers with God's Word, the evil one will be working overtime to snatch the Word from them 

The second seed fell on the rocky soil.  This soil represents the seed, which initially took root, but since there was no depth when trials came they quickly fall away. This is trying time for us today, but we need to stay rooted in God's word for such a time as this. We need to seek spiritual guidance and strength even if thorugh the virtual world, which is what you are doing right now. 

The third soil looks promising. The seed takes root and starts growing, but then the thorns choke out the seed from bearing fruit.  This represents the person who is a Christian, who was following Christ and growing until the cares and worries of this life overcame them.  They became more focused on themselves than Jesus and others around them.  For these people Jesus' words became true, "You cannot have two masters, you will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other.  You cannot serve both God and money."  Matthew 6:24.

Finally, we get to the Good News.  This is the soil we want to be.  This soil received the Word and retained it.  Though times grew tough, they perservered through them and held on to God's Word deep in their hearts.  And the result was they multiplied exponentially.  By persevering through trials they reach many and multiplied the growth of God's Word, which is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

We know friends times are tough right now. Many are facing very difficult trials. The Corona Virus can create panic and anxiety in our lives.  We are worried about those we love and the many who are exponentially getting infected every day.  But it is for such a time as this we have been called to be followers of Jesus.  By holding on to God's Word and living it out in our homes and neighborhoods we can bear fruit. People are looking for answers as to why this happening.  We can show love to these people and show them why we have peace even in this midst of this difficult time through Christ.  

May you use this time you have to dwell in God's Word and spending time praying to God.  As you are the good soil God will use you mightily.. 

I would like to close with the lyrics from, 'A Mighty Fortress is Our God" by Martin Luther.  Martin Luther risked his life to bring God's Word and the Gospel back front and center in the church.  

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and pow'r are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us;
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly pow'rs, no thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth;
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God's truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.