“And when the disciples asked him what this parable meant, 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 in seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’” Luke 8:9-10
The disciples’ question came in response to the Parable of the Sower, in which Jesus speaks of the human heart and it receives God’s Word.
Those who hear and do no understand, who do not venture further into God’s Word, do so because their hearts are hardened. They take it at face-value; they scoff, doubt, laugh, mock. Such people are insincere and hostile to God.
This is a reminder to us that some people - no matter what we do - will reject His Word. Yet, we are not to be discouraged. We are simply called to scatter the seed when and where we can. Some will fall upon the hard-packed soil of a hardened heart. Other seed will be choked out, and some will fall on the receptive soil of a good and honest heart - and God will give it growth.
Prayer: Lord God, let my heart be good soil. Let your Word find deep roots and spring up, bringing forth good fruit one-hundred fold. Cause me likewise to be a sower of your Word in the hearts of others. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.