The beloved physician Luke shared how Jesus began to explain the parable of the seed and sower by saying, “the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the way side are they that hear; then comes the devil, and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection”, and in chapter eight and verse fifteen of his book Luke shared how Jesus shares about the seed sown, “on the good ground” where we read:
But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word,
keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
The verse reads, “But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, …” Luke began with the words, “but that on the good ground” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover the seed that was scattered or sown upon beautiful, handsome, excellent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful and commendable arable land or territory” “are they, which, in an honest” which means “are the people, who, with a genuine and precious” “and good heart” or “and beautiful, handsome, excellent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful and commendable soul or mind, as it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes and endeavors”, “having heard the word” which means “who were endowed with the faculty of hearing, perceiving, understanding and comprehending the speech, decree, mandate and order of God”. Luke shared how Jesus referred to the “seed sown on good ground” being like people who “listen to and receive” the word of God with “beautiful and commendable” “souls and minds”.
The verse goes on to say, “... keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.” Luke continued with the words “keep it” which means “retain, hold fast, secure and keep firm possession of the word of God”, “and bring forth fruit” or “and produce or bear fertile deeds” “with patience” which means “with steadfastness, constancy and endurance”. Luke shared how people who receive the word of God with “good souls and minds” not only “retain” it, but also “bear fertile” fruit over long periods of times.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we see how Jesus told His disciples the “seed sown upon good ground” represented people with “good” “souls and minds” who receive God's word, retain it and produce “fertile fruit” in God's Kingdom over great lengths of time. This is the type “seed” and “ground” everyone should aspire to be and receive. God desires to have a personal relationship with every person through His Son Jesus Christ, and when they receive Him as their personal “Savior and Lord” and nourish that relationship with His word, they shall produce “fruit” in God's Kingdom for all their lives.
Next time Luke shares how Jesus says, “no man, when he has lighted a candle, covers it with a vessel”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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