Quick recap for you
from this past Sunday’s message at FBC.
In Matthew 13 we
find Jesus speaking to the crowds in parables. Parables are real life stories
used to illustrate spiritual truth. Here He’s unveiling some remarkable mysteries
of the Kingdom of heaven to those who are receptive to His word, while
confirming the dull hearts of those who reject His message.
In what’s called the
Parable of the Sower (which I’d rename the Parable of the Soil, but nobody
asked!), Jesus shows four types of responses to the message of the Kingdom. Let
me suggest, for maximum value, that you read Matthew 13:1-9 and 18-23 first.
And it would be helpful for you to consider what kind of response you’ve personally
made to Jesus as you read.
The first kind of
response Jesus identifies for us is the hard heart. This is the person who
hears the Word but has zero interest. His heart has become cold and calloused
to spiritual things. He’s the one described in Romans 1 who has suppressed the
truth about God because of his own unrighteousness. He claims to be wise, and
he often exhibits a proud, self-sufficient, self-righteous attitude, but he’s
become a fool, and his foolish heart has been darkened. He despises wisdom and
instruction, and lives as if there is no God. He loves to sin, falls deeper and
deeper in love with all kinds of sinful deeds, and even rises to applaud others
who likewise do what ought not to be done.
The second kind of
response Jesus tells us is the shallow heart. This is the person who hears the
message of the Kingdom and seems to embrace it wholeheartedly. Like new growth
in rocky soil, this person appears to be flourishing in her newfound faith. She’s
zealous in church attendance, Bible study, and wants to serve immediately. She
may have even walked an aisle or signed a card or gotten baptized. But sooner
or later, when troubles or persecutions arise on account of the Word, her
supposed faith withers. There was never any genuine repentance or brokenness
over her sin, and no real transformation. She certainly is not willing to
endure suffering for the sake of Christ. Her feelings were stirred for a while,
but there’s no root, and her soul remained unchanged.
Another kind of
response Jesus points out is the divided heart. This is the person who hears
the message of Christ and appears to grow like a true disciple, but ultimately
proves himself to be another pretender when his affection for riches and
allegiance to worldly cares take precedence over his professed loyalty to
Jesus. His first love is not for Christ. He loves the things of the world, but the
love of the Father is not in him. The Word is soon choked out by his pursuit of
wealth and pleasure, and his life bears no fruit.
The fourth kind of
response is the one Jesus highlights as the only true, saving response to the
message of the Kingdom. This is the person who hears the gospel message, understands
it, learns to trust and obey it, and keeps persevering in it. She is the one
who puts away all filthiness and wickedness and humbly receives the word
planted, which is able to save her soul. She is convicted of her sin, genuinely
repents, and turns in faith to the Lord Jesus. And her life yields much
spiritual fruit for the Kingdom of God.
What kind of
personal response have you made to the message of Christ and His Kingdom? Why
not humble your heart today to receive His Word? Then let the Word of Christ
dwell in you richly and keep on abiding in Christ, and your life will bear
fruit in abundance.
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