Post by Mark on Nov 19, 2009 4:27:06 GMT -8
Messiah told a story. He said there was a sower, a gardener planting seeds. He spread the seeds out broadly and some of the seeds fell on hard packed dirt along the side of the road. Some of the seeds fell into the rocks. Some fell in the brambles. And some fell into the good soil. The gardener looked at the seeds over time and noticed that, immediately, the seeds that fell on the side of the road devoured by the birds. The seeds that fell among the rocks sprouted up soon enough; but withered and died because there was no room for them to develop good roots. The seeds that fell among the thorns were choked out, though they may have grown into fully developed plants, they weren't able to bear much (if any) fruit. Only the seed that found its way into the prepared soil was ableto produce good fruit: some thirty, some sixty and some a hundred fold.
Messiah explains this parable for us. He tells us that the seed is the Word of God. The word falls on some like upon the hard road and doesn't sink in at all. For some, it is accepted as reasonable; but there is no substance and so it has no room to grow. For others, it has to share its space with all the cares and troubles of this world and thus doesn't have the ability to bear fruit. It is only in the good soil, where the ground is soft, the rocks are removed and the weeds pulled, can a fruitful yeild be expected.
So, which of these lives are of a believer, one who is saved and will gain access to the Kingdom of God?
Many will immediately surmise that it is only the one who is representedby the good soil who is truly the one who will be saved. The others fail the test, they show no fruit. But, will not some be saved, even so as by fire (as Paul describes in 1st Corinthians 3:15)? Isn't one saved as they are quickened to new life (Ephesians 2:1-5)? It might be arguable that this story tells of a number of people who will inherit the Kingdom but that yet so many will not live to the fulfilling of that promise.
Or maybe,Messiah isn't talking about salvation at all.
When Messiah, or anyone, addresses a Jewish audience describing the "Word of God" or the "Word of the Kingdom", they would not be inclined to understand this to be the message of "trust in the sacrifice of Messiah and you will be saved." The reference that this audience would make would be toward
and to the writings of the Prophets. If we receive the message in the context it is given, there is no confusion because we are not trying to insert ourown doctrine into His teaching.The seed is the Word of God: the
. Some refuse to hear it. It is snatched up and there is no sign that it was ever there.And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
(Luk 16:31)
Some receive it gladly, but idly, as any trivial information. There is no depth or desire for meaningful relationship. It is just interesting stuff- and thus it dies quickly, allowing new seeds of some other sort to take it's place.
Some have a sincere desire to walk in the Word and be changed by it; but there are so many things in this world vying for their attention, the Word is choked and unfruitful.
Only when all the right conditions are met: fallow soil, clear of debree and obstacles, prepared and tended with discipline is any person going to be able to reap the benefits of the Word that is shared with them.
Another parable Jewish tradition compares four sons: a wise, a wicked, a simple and a silent son. The wicked son can be compared to the side of the road. He has no room for the Word and so it is given no chance to sprout. The silent son doesn't have depth of understanding- he takes it in but there is nothing yet there for it to take root. The simple son is distracted by all the excitement around him. Only the wise son is realizing the full benefits of the Passover seder.
Which of these soil personalities is going to get into heaven? That's not the question that is being addressed. Which is going to bear fruit after being exposed to the Word of God?
