In Matthew Chapter 13 we hear Jesus, the Master Story Teller, tell the story of the sower. It’s a short story. Jesus tells it in just a few verses. He says, “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. “

The seed in this story represents God’s Word. The various soils represent our hearts. Some people have: Resistant hearts, like hardened soil. Others have Impulsive hearts. Initially these people embrace the Word with enthusiasm, but just as quickly they fall away. Some have divided hearts. Our obsession with temporal things can choke the Word of God in our lives. But some have good soil. The good soil represents someone who continually listens to God’s Word, reflects on it, and lets it take root and bear fruit.

It’s real important to catch this next point. Jesus ends the parable with a very significant challenge. He says, “He who has ears, let him hear.” This admonition is one of the most repeated exhortations in all of His preaching and teaching. Not only is it important to notice how the parable ends, it’s also important to notice how it begins. In the more literal translations you’ll see that Jesus precedes this parable with the word “Behold.” That means “pay attention.” If I’m listening, I learn that God is always speaking to me. I can see him in the agricultural observances of seed that grows and seed that doesn’t grow. I can learn about Him from the motion of the planets. I can hear him in the winds of winter and the rustling leaves of fall. He’s speaking in still small voices all around me. The heavens are declaring His glory and the earth is illustrating his handiwork.

“Behold…. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

Chuck
“He who has ears, let him hear.” Matthew 13:9