Kingdom Principle: Since Jesus’ kingdom, in the current iteration, is a spiritual kingdom, that is to say he rules in the hearts of mankind primarily, what may seem obvious to the physical realm, isn’t always true in the spiritual realm. Because of this reality, only a fraction of those, to whom you present Jesus’ kingdom, will be truly born again and persevere unto eternal life.
The ___________________________ of the Parable
Luke 8:4 (ESV) — 4 And when a great crowd was gathering and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable,
A farmer went out. In Luke’s setting it is unlikely that this is to be interpreted as a reference to Jesus and his preaching ministry, for the sowers of God’s word for Luke’s readers are the apostles and their disciples.
At this point in Jesus’ ministry he is insanely popular. And if the disciples aren’t careful, they may begin to expect that this will always be the case.
Luke 9:46–48 (ESV) — 46 An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. 47 But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side 48 and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.”
Jesus takes time, in this parable, to address both the temporary popularity of his ministry and the ambition of the disciples, by teaching the disciples that although they saw temporary acceptance of Jesus, this does not necessarily portend, full and final acceptance of Jesus.
John 15:18 (ESV) — 18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.
The _______________________________ of the Parable
Luke 8:15 (ESV) — 15 As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.
What seems apparent in the physical realm, may not necessarily be true in the spiritual realm. The Parable of the soils shows us, that at the end of the day, what determines the success of the gospel mission is the condition of the soil in which the seed of the gospel is planted. The condition of the soil is made evident over time, in temptation, and through tribulation.
The purpose of light is to make plain our sight what is hidden. Jesus applies this principle to the parable of the soils. What may not be plain at first in those who receive the gospel, will be made plain as the light of God’s Word and the refining fire of tribulation brings to surface those things that are hidden beneath.
Luke 8:18 (NRSV) — 18 Then pay attention to how you listen; for to those who have, more will be given; and from those who do not have, even what they seem to have will be taken away.”
1 John 2:18–19 (ESV) — 18 Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.
In Christianity, those who belong to Christ are those who have been transformed by the Holy Spirit in the inner man. They are those who, hearing the Word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.
Questions to Consider
Why does Jesus tell his Apostles this parable? Why is this important to the church in our era?
Does this text give you confidence in your salvation? Why or Why not? Is Jesus’ intent here to cause you to doubt, or to give you a clear marker to the authenticity of your faith?
