Today you should read: Luke 8:1-15
Thank you for keeping up with Jumpstart. Reading God’s Word every day is essential to your growth and walk with Him. I’m so proud of you for your faithfulness!
In verse 1 Jesus begins a tour of nearby towns and villages. He was on a mission trip with His disciples, sharing the Good News (Gospel). He took with Him several “satisfied customers” – Mary Magdalene (who had 7 demons cast out of her), Joanna, Susanna and more.
In verses 4-15 Jesus gives the parable of the sower. This story is also found in Matthew 13 and Mark 4. As you may know, this is about a farmer who scattered seed on the ground – and the four responses of the seed (hearers).
1. The Hard Ground (v.5) – When the farmer scattered the seed – some fell on the footpath – where the ground was hard. It was stepped on by the workers and the birds came and ate it. Jesus explains that this represents those that hear truth, but Satan comes and takes it from their hearts preventing them from believing it (v.12).
2. The Rocky Ground (v.6) – Some seed fell where it was stony and quickly began to grow – but soon wilted and died because of the lack of moisture. Jesus told us that this represents those who hear truth and receive it with joy, but they aren’t discipled – so their roots don’t go down very deep. When hard times come they give up and return to the lies (v.13)
3. The Thorny Ground (v.7) – Other seed yet fell on thorny ground and grew, but the thorns also grew and choked out the plants. Jesus said this represents those who hear the message, but very quickly the cares and pleasures of life choke it out (v.14)
- The Good Ground (v.8) – The last example Jesus gave was that of fertile soil. Those seeds produced a crop that was 100 times as much as was planted. He said this represented those who hear Gods Word and accept it. This is a picture of discipleship (v.15)
What can we learn from this Parable?
- Not all hearers are the same. When we teach, disciple, or evangelize we must remember that people are at different places.
- We’re not responsible for the reception – just the presentation.
- If not all the hearers accepted Jesus message – they won’t all accept mine.
- I need to pray to “the Lord of the Harvest” when I evangelize, teach, or disciple and ask Him to speak to their heart.
By: Tim Parsons — Lead Pastor
JumpstartCPC.com 
Thorny ground – the cares of the world and the pleasures of life are stealing from me. How do I root out the worldly wisdom and start to live real life in Jesus? I want to know the joy of sanctification. That living for God would be the thing that thrills my soul. To so genuinely and deeply love Him that I can’t help but walk in the Spirit and put to death the works of the flesh.
Kaitlyn, a friend once shared with me an illustration that she goes to when she feels the worries of her world stealing her joy and peace. Remember when the disciples were in the boat and it began to sink? They were afraid because they failed to look at Jesus in the boat with them and trust he had it under control. So when things come up remember that Jesus is in your boat with you. For me, I close my eyes and picture that scene of Jesus in the boat with me in my head and then pray to trust that he has it under his control! Jesus is in the boat with you!