CONNECTING POINT: World Changer

When we take the time to read AND understand the Bible, the implications of Christ’s teachings are powerful, turning cultural barriers upside down. The first-century community was deeply immersed in staunch traditions and religious jargon, portions of this ideology Jesus challenged with simplicity.

In Luke 8 we read one of many parables that Jesus utilized to communicate a simple message, most know this as the parable of the Sower. I would point out that this could be better understood as the parable of the Soil. “While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: ‘A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more

than was sown.’ When he said this, he called out, ‘Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear,’” (Luke 8:4-8).

The “seed” is the word of God or the life-giving message of Jesus Christ. Jesus was and is a world changer. He changes lives through the forgiveness of sin and gives us purpose beyond this short life. The “soil” or “ground” is the status of any listener’s heart; we can respond in four different ways. One: our hearts can be hard and non-receptive. Two: our hearts can be shallow and somewhat receptive but quickly turn away from the truth. Three: our hearts can be receptive but overwhelmed by distraction or even disillusion, stunting any growth. I would

contend that the condition of our heart is always in play, starting with salvation in Jesus through faith and repentance but caring on into everyday life. Spiritual growth is a continuous process, we’re either growing, dealing with stagnancy or dying. The last two descriptives are unhealthy in a spiritual sense.

The predominant principle that Jesus conveys through this parable is having a receptive heart. Jesus did say, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear,” (Luke 8:8). He wasn’t physically speaking about audio reception but a spiritual perception, most people are born with ears and the ability to hear. It’s been said the best way to change the world is one person at a time. Jesus has always aimed to do this personal transformation that impacts our soul, our actions, and our intentions. If we are receptive to Jesus, the impact affects us personally and has a ripple effect on those around us.

As Jesus proclaimed the “Good News” to those around Him, we see yet another cultural shift spurred on by His actions. As I mentioned the Jewish community was deeply embedded in various traditions, take note of how Jesus’s ministry included women. “…The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna, the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means,” (Luke 8:1-3).

Bible Scholar Leon Morris points out, “The rabbis refused to teach women and generally assigned them a very inferior place.” So, Christ’s approach was counter-cultural. He came to change the world. Men, women, and children all mattered to Jesus, anyone with a receptive heart.