Noble, Good Heart

Luke 8:4-15 While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: 5 “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. 6 Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.” When he said this, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” 9 His disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10 He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the Kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, ‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’ (Isaiah 6:9) 11 “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 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. 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. 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. 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.” 
 
JESUS compares the form and substance of the Kingdom of God to a good farm. Good seed, fertile soil and proper management of seed and soil are essential substances for a productive farm. Even more, properly managed good soil is the foundation of wealth for a country. Good soil in the Kingdom of God is the foundation for an abundant life in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. When we sink our souls’ roots into it, we can trust the Good Soil of God’s Word to anchor us against the testings and thorns. We are sturdy in the Good Soil to remain in God’s love.
   But as there are many farms under poor management, aren’t there? Some farmers and lazy. They do not learn about soil and seed. Their seeds are planted too late for a good growing season. Fertilizer and pest control are misused. The seed and soil go to waste. The farmer and his family – and even his community and nation – will be less due to his poor work.
   Isaiah prophesied such “poor farmers” would miss and lose Kingdom blessings. Jesus used Isaiah’s words to indicate God knows there will be many who will not understand at all, and some will easily lose faith due to weak roots in God’s Word.
   Jesus teaches a good, God-rooted heart is the essential Kingdom substance. From such a heart comes a desire to learn, keep and grow in the Word. God’s truth becomes an enriching, growing crop to influence one’s life to true Kingdom citizenship.