Luke 8:11 "This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.
Jesus teaches His disciples one of the great kingdom principles. It’s the Principle of the Seed in the Parable of the Sower.
The seed is the Word of God. When you believe God’s Word, it is powerful and will accomplish everything it has been declared to accomplish. (Isaiah 55:10-11) There is nothing too small or too great for the Word of God. The universe, the earth and everything within it was created and is sustained by the Word of God.
In Luke chapter 8, Jesus teaches the Principle of the Seed explaining the importance of retaining the Word of God in our life. He explains why people struggle to believe in God, trust Him, or become fruitful:
Vs 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.
People who do not receive (i.e. ‘reject') the Word of God, carry cynical heart attitudes against God, His Word or the church, and are never able to receive from God and believe. Jesus says this is how the devil steals the Word from them. It’s through unbelief.
Vs 13 Those on the rock 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.
These are people who do believe God’s Word and receive it with joy. But they do not consistently hear and receive it and thus the Word of God is not established in their heart. Jesus says they have shallow hearts and easily fall away when trouble and persecution comes.
Vs 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.
These people also believe God’s Word, but Jesus reveals another reason why it is not producing fruit – it's because worry, riches, and the pleasures of this life are more important to them and it chokes the Word of Grace becoming fruitful in their life.
Vs 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.
It’s the people whose hearts are described as good soil, those who continually hear the Word, retain it, and persevere with it - these are the people who reap a harvest.
Can you see what Jesus is saying to you? It's not about you doing all the hard work on toiling the soil, planting seed, watering, and protecting it… just keep hearing and receiving the Word. Give it value and let it go to work and prosper you in your life.
Let Jesus and His Word do it for you!