Luke 8:9–15 (ESV)
The Purpose
of the Parables
9 And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, 10 he said, “To
you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’ 11 Now the parable is this: The seed
is the word of God. 12 The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 And the
ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. 14 And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who
hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. 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.
Jesus uses an agricultural metaphor to
explain how the Gospel ministry works and why it is sometimes thwarted. As our own experience bears out, the sinful nature, the world, and the devil all resist the Holy Spirit, who calls people to faith and would lead them into committed discipleship. By God’s
grace, however, our faith not only withstands trial and temptation but even grows stronger. The Christian’s faithful endurance is a testimony to Christ’s constant love.
I pray: “To Thee our wants are known, From Thee are all our
pow’rs; Accept what is Thine own And pardon what is ours. Our praises, Lord, and prayers receive, And to Thy Word a blessing give.” Amen. (LSB 921:2)[1]