The Servant Messiah 14
The Four Soils - Luke 8:1-21
Messiah needs to begin messages that would be long remembered. The time was approaching when more and more time would be devoted to the Twelve. A group of women had become a special part of the group. They were not only observers and listneners. They supported the mission with their means: Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Suzanna. Messiah’s message, Messiah’s salvation, Messiah’s compassion must surely flow through women believers.
Messiah has in mind now the many people who have heard his message and seen his work. He has in mind preparing the disciples when they go forth as messengers. He has in mind how the inner group will be puzzled and confused by some of the events and teachings which would soon come their way.
The parable of the Sower was directed to this purpose. Well meant and well directed words often fall like seed on the beaten path at the edge of the field. The concepts will not be received at all. There would be no penetration or understanding. Hardened habits and conditioned lives like the Pharisees make change difficult.
The message is sometimes received with ready enthusiasm but like seeds sown on rocky soil they fail to grow. When they act upon these concepts, they lose interest and become quickly discouraged. Their faith fades in the summer when drought sets in because their root is not deep. This picture of the wilted field will be long remembered.
Some others will receive the teachings with enthusiasm and understanding. When they try to live by them, weeds will sap their strength. Other things take precedence. Cares, riches, pleasures, and other materialistic interssts choke the spiritual growth. The field choked by weeds will not make a very big harvest.
The message will always find residence in some who do not let their minds harden like the beaten path, who do not allow discouragement to cause them to faint, who carefully pull the weeds out as they hamper the growth of the spiritual. There will be abundant harvest.
Messiah needs to begin messages that would be long remembered. The time was approaching when more and more time would be devoted to the Twelve. A group of women had become a special part of the group. They were not only observers and listneners. They supported the mission with their means: Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Suzanna. Messiah’s message, Messiah’s salvation, Messiah’s compassion must surely flow through women believers.
Messiah has in mind now the many people who have heard his message and seen his work. He has in mind preparing the disciples when they go forth as messengers. He has in mind how the inner group will be puzzled and confused by some of the events and teachings which would soon come their way.
The parable of the Sower was directed to this purpose. Well meant and well directed words often fall like seed on the beaten path at the edge of the field. The concepts will not be received at all. There would be no penetration or understanding. Hardened habits and conditioned lives like the Pharisees make change difficult.
The message is sometimes received with ready enthusiasm but like seeds sown on rocky soil they fail to grow. When they act upon these concepts, they lose interest and become quickly discouraged. Their faith fades in the summer when drought sets in because their root is not deep. This picture of the wilted field will be long remembered.
Some others will receive the teachings with enthusiasm and understanding. When they try to live by them, weeds will sap their strength. Other things take precedence. Cares, riches, pleasures, and other materialistic interssts choke the spiritual growth. The field choked by weeds will not make a very big harvest.
The message will always find residence in some who do not let their minds harden like the beaten path, who do not allow discouragement to cause them to faint, who carefully pull the weeds out as they hamper the growth of the spiritual. There will be abundant harvest.
posted by Dr. James F. Hubbard at 3:39 PM
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