Verse 14 really jumped out at me this morning as I read it, in particular,
the portion:
"...And so they never grow into maturity."
growing is a part of the Christian walk...growing in Him, learning to lean
on Him and being obedient to Him. When we seek our own way not His...the
process is stifled, isn't it? May He grow us up!
Luke 8:4 One day Jesus told this story to a large crowd that had gathered
from many towns to hear him: 5 "A farmer went out to plant some seed. As he
scattered it across his field, some seed fell on a footpath, where it was
stepped on, and the birds came and ate it. 6 Other seed fell on shallow soil
with underlying rock. This seed began to grow, but soon it withered and died
for lack of moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns that shot up and choked
out the tender blades. 8 Still other seed fell on fertile soil. This seed
grew and produced a crop one hundred times as much as had been planted."
When he had said this, he called out, "Anyone who is willing to hear should
listen and understand!" 9 His disciples asked him what the story meant.
10 He replied, "You have been permitted to understand the secrets of the
Kingdom of God. But I am using these stories to conceal everything about it
from outsiders, so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled: 'They see what I
do, but they don't really see; they hear what I say, but they don't
understand.'
11 "This is the meaning of the story: The seed is God's message. 12 The seed
that fell on the hard path represents those who hear the message, but then
the Devil comes and steals it away and prevents them from believing and
being saved. 13 The rocky soil represents those who hear the message with
joy. But like young plants in such soil, their roots don't go very deep.
They believe for a while, but they wilt when the hot winds of testing blow.
14 The thorny ground represents those who hear and accept the message, but
all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and
pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity. 15 But the
good soil represents honest, good-hearted people who hear God's message,
cling to it, and steadily produce a huge harvest.
--
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