Luke 8:1–18

Introduction

Luke 8:1–18: Jesus often used parables to teach about the Kingdom of God. In today’s reading, the parable of the sower demonstrates the need for having an obedient heart if we are to receive and retain the message. The reading concludes with a teaching that what is hidden will be disclosed and come to light.

Today’s Key Verse: Luke 8:15 GNT

The seeds that fell in good soil stand for those who hear the message and retain it in a good and obedient heart, and they persist until they bear fruit.

Read

8 Some time later Jesus traveled through towns and villages, preaching the Good News about the Kingdom of God. The twelve disciples went with him, ² and so did some women who had been healed of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (who was called Magdalene), from whom seven demons had been driven out; ³ Joanna, whose husband Chuza was an officer in Herod’s court; and Susanna, and many other women who used their own resources to help Jesus and his disciples.

⁴ People kept coming to Jesus from one town after another; and when a great crowd gathered, Jesus told this parable:

⁵ “Once there was a man who went out to sow grain. As he scattered the seed in the field, some of it fell along the path, where it was stepped on, and the birds ate it up. ⁶ Some of it fell on rocky ground, and when the plants sprouted, they dried up because the soil had no moisture. ⁷ Some of the seed fell among thorn bushes, which grew up with the plants and choked them. ⁸ And some seeds fell in good soil; the plants grew and bore grain, one hundred grains each.”

And Jesus concluded, “Listen, then, if you have ears!”

⁹ His disciples asked Jesus what this parable meant, ¹⁰ and he answered, “The knowledge of the secrets of the Kingdom of God has been given to you, but to the rest it comes by means of parables, so that they may look but not see, and listen but not understand.

¹¹ “This is what the parable means: the seed is the word of God. ¹² The seeds that fell along the path stand for those who hear; but the Devil comes and takes the message away from their hearts in order to keep them from believing and being saved. ¹³ The seeds that fell on rocky ground stand for those who hear the message and receive it gladly. But it does not sink deep into them; they believe only for a while but when the time of testing comes, they fall away. ¹⁴ The seeds that fell among thorn bushes stand for those who hear; but the worries and riches and pleasures of this life crowd in and choke them, and their fruit never ripens. ¹⁵ The seeds that fell in good soil stand for those who hear the message and retain it in a good and obedient heart, and they persist until they bear fruit.

¹⁶ “No one lights a lamp and covers it with a bowl or puts it under a bed. Instead, it is put on the lampstand, so that people will see the light as they come in.

¹⁷ “Whatever is hidden away will be brought out into the open, and whatever is covered up will be found and brought to light.

¹⁸ “Be careful, then, how you listen; because those who have something will be given more, but whoever has nothing will have taken away from them even the little they think they have.”

Reflect

Today’s reading includes several references to listening and hearing the message (verses 8, 10, 12–15, 18). As you read today’s passage, what do you “hear” being said to you? Hearing the message and retaining it is connected with bearing fruit. What kind of “fruit” will you bear today?

Pray

Lord Jesus, teach me to be obedient to your word so that I bear fruit that gives glory to you. May I serve as good soil in which your precious word can grow so that your Kingdom will advance. Amen.

And now, join us in praying for the U.S. military. We ask, dear God, that you comfort all those serving. Provide special courage, grace, and strength for those in danger zones, and physical and emotional healing for those who have been wounded. Thanks to the generous support of Bible-A-Month Partners, your Word is enabling those serving in the military to experience peace amid their most difficult trials. Thank you, Lord God, that the Holy Scriptures are sustaining them in carrying and addressing the burdens they may acquire during their service. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Luke 11:1–13: Jesus teaches his disciples to pray.