This morning, we continue our new series on “The Parables of Jesus.” We will seek to glean “Pearls from the Parables.”
Before we get to the parable, let’s look at a scripture we have been looking at all year. This is something I believe the Lord wants us to meditate on.
(Psalm 126:4 TPT)
Now, Lord, do it again! Restore us to our former glory! May streams of your refreshing flow over us until our dry hearts are drenched again.
This is a season of refreshing and restoring for us.
On Tuesday, I introduced you to “The Mother of All Parables.” Let’s get back to it today. Jesus said:
(Mark 4:13-20 ERV)
The farmer is like someone who plants God’s teaching in people. Sometimes the teaching falls on the path. That is like some people who hear the teaching of God. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the teaching that was planted in them.
Other people are like the seed planted on rocky ground. They hear the teaching, and they quickly and gladly accept it. But they don’t allow it to go deep into their lives. They keep it only a short time. As soon as trouble or persecution comes because of the teaching they accepted, they give up.
Others are like the seed planted among the thorny weeds. They hear the teaching, but their lives become full of other things: the worries of this life, the love of money, and everything else they want. This keeps the teaching from growing, and it does not produce a crop in their lives.
And others are like the seed planted on the good ground. They hear the teaching and accept it. Then they grow and produce a good crop—sometimes 30 times more, sometimes 60 times more, and sometimes 100 times more.
Today we will discuss the soil along the path. Jesus paints the picture of the Word going out to people. They hear it, and as soon as they do, somehow satan comes immediately and takes the Word from them. Matthew’s version of the story gives us better insight into why this happens. Let’s take a look at how Matthew records what Jesus said.
Matthew’s version reads, “When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path.” (Matthew 13:19). Matthew’s version exposes the key issue with this type of soil: a lack of understanding. If you receive a Word from God and you do not understand it, then at that moment, you are like the soil along the path. That Word will not get deep down in your heart, and satan will come to snatch the Word away before it can change you.
So what does this mean for you today? A few things.
1. Words from God are full of Spirit and life.
— Jesus said, “The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. The very words I have spoken to you are full of spirit and life.” (John 6:63).
— Jesus was the Word of God in the flesh (John 1:1). He was the embodiment of the Word.
— Jesus was the Word, and as He walked around, He spoke words. He was life, and the words He spoke were also full of Spirit and life.
— When we receive and release the Word of God, we are receiving and releasing Spirit and life. We are receiving and releasing God’s power, and this has nothing to do with human effort or ability.
— God esteems His Word above His name (Psalm 138:2). I believe this means God is saying, “I am only as good as my Word!” If God said it, He will do it. If He promised it, He will make His Word good (Numbers 23:19).
— There is power in the Word of God!
2. God’s Word(s) is so powerful that the entire universe was created by it.
— The Bible says, “By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.” (Heb 11:3).
— God did not create the universe by working hard or through tireless effort. God created the universe by speaking words.
— The Word of God contains the power of the God of the Word.
— The same power that created the universe is contained in the words that flow from God.
— No Word from God will ever come to you without the power to perform what it promises. This is why satan wants to come “immediately” to snatch the Word away. He knows that God’s Word contains the grace to do what it ministered to you about. This should give you an elevated understanding of the importance of God’s Word in your life.
3. Satan comes to snatch the Word immediately because he knows how powerful it is.
— When you understand the power that is contained in the Word of God, you see why God goes out of His way to sow this Word in your heart.
— The Word of God has the power to change you forever. That’s why God seeks to sow it, and satan seeks to snatch it.
— The power to change your life is contained in the written Word of God and in the words you receive from God as you read His written Word. You don’t have to make the Word of God work. The power to change your life is already contained IN the Word of God. All you must do is ALLOW the Word to work in your life. Read it, meditate and medicate on it, pray over it, and allow it to change you from the inside out.
4. Whatever Word from God you do not understand becomes susceptible to satan, which is why your understanding is so critical.
— God has called me to teach His Word in a way people can see, hear, and understand. I have seen lives transformed through my ministry, and it has come through providing a functional understanding of God’s Word.
— The path to gaining wisdom begins with seeking understanding. Solomon, the wisest man in the Bible, said it this way: “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” (Proverbs 4:7).
— Although God graced Solomon with supernatural wisdom, the king explained that getting understanding may cost you all you have (Proverbs 4:7). Sometimes it takes focus, thought and prayerful consideration, and careful study to gain understanding, but the investment is well worth it.
— If you hear a Word from God, but you don’t understand it, you are not in a position to make the most of the Word you received.
— You will never maximize what you do not understand. When you have a proper understanding of something, you are in a position to apply it, leverage it, and benefit from it. But if you do not understand a truth, that truth is not beneficial to you.
— Don’t approach the Word of God as an obligation. Don’t read God’s Word because you are simply holding yourself to a reading plan. Don’t go to church out of tradition. Don’t sit under teaching without a heart to receive or ears to hear. When you have an opportunity to receive the Word of God — whether in written form or audibly — always position yourself to hear what God is saying, because one Word from God can change your life forever! Pray for wisdom. Seek understanding. This is the only way you will develop a “working knowledge” of scripture that is useful/beneficial in a way that brings about significant change in your life.
Declaration of Faith:
Father, this is a season of refreshing and restoring for me!
The entire universe was created by You speaking Words. Your Word still contains that power.
I seek divine wisdom. This pursuit begins with gaining a clear understanding of Your Word.
Whenever I am in a position to receive Your Word — whether in church, though someone else, or in my reading time — I always approach the moment with my heart open to receive and my ears anointed to hear.
I gain clear insight and spiritual understanding.
You give me a working knowledge of the scriptures, and I apply Your truth to my daily living.
The Bible is not a textbook I study; it is a LIFE BOOK I live!
I live Your Word daily because I gain divine understanding.
Living this way, I can make the most of my NOW and also get prepared for my NEXT! GREATER IS COMING FOR ME! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
