Scripture

“To those who listen to my teaching more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.”

Observation

Jesus addresses a crowd from a boat while the people listen on the shore. He tells many parables. One of those parables concerns a farmer who sows seed. Some of it falls on shallow soil, where the seeds sprouts quickly, but wilts in the sun because their roots are shallow. Some seed falls on a path where birds come and eat them. Some seeds fall among thorns which choke out the tender plants. But some of the seed falls on fertile soil and produce a huge crop.

The disciples ask Jesus why He teachers in parables. He replies that they are given for those who listen to his teaching. Those people will increase in knowledge, but those who don’t listen, even the little knowledge they have will be taken away.

Application

Spiritual gifts are like muscles; the more you use them, the stronger they become. Faith, understanding, wisdom, prophecy, prayer; all require effort on our part if we are to grow in them.

Jesus used parables to separate those who are receptive to His message from those who are stubborn. Parables take effort to decode. They reveal whether the heart of a person is rocky soil or fertile soil.

Am I prepared to put in the effort to work on my relationship with the Lord? Will I spend time in prayer and reading the Bible?

To those who seek the Lord with some effort, more understanding will be given.

Prayer

Please help me Lord to be more diligent in seeking you. Amen.