Still others, like seed sown among the thorns, hear the word, but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. (Mark 4:18-19)
The parable of the sower and the seed is one of the first parables that Jesus tells in His ministry. It defines the four responses that people will have toward Him and His teaching, not only two thousand years ago but even today.
God’s Word is seed. Every time it is shared with someone, it has the potential to grow. The one variable is the heart condition of the person hearing God’s Word.
Some people hear God’s Word and immediately blow it off. Their hearts are hard and impenetrable. The fact that this parable follows on the heels of the Pharisees’ progressive rejection of Jesus is no coincidence. The Pharisees, despite all their religiosity, are the example of the seed sown on the hardened road.
Some people hear God’s Word and immediately respond with joy. Ever known someone like that? I have. Their response to God’s Word is so immediate and joyful that you can’t help but get excited with them. Finally they have found what they are looking for. Everything looks great but then within a few weeks/months, they are back where they started. Nothing in their life has changed. The seed took no root in their heart. They were looking for a quick fix not a lifetime commitment. Soon they are off on another tangent looking for something else to solve their problems or soothe their angst.
Some hear God’s Word and are simply too busy to respond to it. The three things that Jesus mentions that “choke” God’s Word are interesting–worries of this life, deceitfulness of riches, and desires for other things. Is there any better description of American society? God’s Word is available to all of us but often times we just don’t hear it. There are bills to pay, places to go, things to do, movies to see, dreams to pursue, things to buy, etc. The busyness of life just crowds out time for God and His Word.
Others hear God’s Word and “accept it” (4:20). They allow it to penetrate to the deepest parts of their heart. They listen to it, meditate on it, consider it, mull over it, apply it. And where the Word of God takes root it eventually produces fruit. It may not be immediate but it is lasting. It is a good reminder that we may not have an emotional high after reading God’s Word. We may not get excited or have an immediate application or even fully understand it. But if we allow God’s Word to consistently shine its light in our heart, then there will be growth of the soul…not because of our strength but because of the inherent power in God’s Word.
Lord, open my ears to Your Word and grow the fruit of Your Spirit in my life.