Take Heed to “How” You Hear!
Reflective Reading: Luke 8:9-25
Today we’re going to look at a unique 4-part story that teaches, illustrates, and then brings to life a central truth—climaxing with a life-threatening demonstration, essential to the disciples’ preparation. Before we get to the life-threatening experience, we begin with the well-known parable of the “Sower and the Seed.” Ready? Here we go:
“And his disciples asked him, saying, ‘What might this parable be?’…Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience” (Luke 8:9-15).
The two underlined words teach us how and why fruit will either come to full fruition or die on the vine. The first word, perfection, comes from the Greek word τελεσφορέω (telesphoreō). This word carries the meaning of bearing, bringing forth, carrying to fruition, being driven, and enduring. This is a significant word and appears only once in the Bible. Many do not bear fruit because they quit too soon—too soon in their marriage, in pursuing their career, in humility, in forgiving others, etc. Because they give up too soon, their fruit doesn’t come to “perfection,” thus losing their opportunity to bless others.
The next word, patience, is one of my favorite words in Scripture. It’s the Greek word ὑπομονή (hupomoné) and carries the idea of possessing cheerful, hopeful endurance. This is what is needed in order to bear fruit. My garden, for example, requires a lot of endurance! It needs to be furrowed, planted, watered, weeded, cultivated, weeded, fertilized, watered, and weeded (Did I say weeded?)! Why put so much work into my garden? Because of the fruit that it bears and the joy that it gives me; especially my rose garden! Oh the fragrance!
As we continue reading in Luke 8, we read the familiar candle-under-a-bushel analogy. Such a change of direction seems incongruous in light of the previous focus on bearing fruit. Let’s listen in to what Jesus says next:
“No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covers it with a vessel, or puts it under a bed; but sets it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light. For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither anything hid, that shall not be known and come abroad. Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seems to have” (Luke 8:16-18).
The meaning of this illustration is at first obscure. If we follow the logic of Jesus’ last analogy, however, it becomes clear. Bearing fruit is similar to bearing light. Both benefit yourself and others. Thus, when we hear God’s truth and bring spiritual fruit to maturity (with cheerful endurance), then our next primary responsibility is to share it. But listen closely; there’s a huge bonus that comes along with bearing fruit. The seed that Jesus was talking about earlier is going to bring forth exponential growth—if brought to fruition with cheerful endurance. One corn seed can bear over a thousand more on just one plant, and sometimes over two thousand! That is why Jesus says more will be given him. But, fruit bearer, beware—Jesus also warns against those who “seem” to bear fruit. From them, everything will in the end be taken away. I don’t think this needs much of a commentary, but notice that phrase “seems to have” at the end of Luke 8:18. The people mentioned only “appear” to be fruitful, just like the fig tree that only had leaves and had a not-so-pleasant ending to its life.
This next and third illustration is another unusual yet surprisingly powerful segue,
“Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press. And it was told him by certain which said, ‘Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee.’ And he answered and said unto them, ‘My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it’” (Luke 8:19-21).
His mother and brothers, according to the gospel of Mark 3:21, believed that Jesus was “out of his mind” because of all the work he was doing. They wanted to bring him back home! They apparently did not “hear” his teaching on forsaking all and following him.
Now, up to this point I haven’t divulged the central truth that Jesus has been highlighting. It surrounds a word that is repeated a grand total of 7 times. It is the word hear. This reveals to us a central truth: the fruit we bear is dependent upon how we hear the Word of God. Jesus in verse 18 says, “Take heed therefore how ye hear.”
This now leads us to the last part of this story and teaching. In order to bring this truth home to the disciples in a way that they will never forget, Jesus takes them on a boat ride:
“Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, ‘Let us go over unto the other side of the lake.’ And they launched forth. But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, ‘Master, master, we perish.’ Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. And he said unto them, ‘Where is your faith?’ And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, ‘What manner of man is this! for he commands even the winds and water, and they obey him’” (Luke 8:22-25).
What does this have to do with hearing the Word of God and taking heed to how they hear? Jesus told them where they were going, “Let us go over unto the other side of the lake.” Yet they didn’t take heed to what they heard, instead, they allowed fear and faithlessness to replace faithful, cheerful endurance.
This illustration forms a powerful reminder to us all—“take heed to how you hear!” He has told us where we are going—all we have to do is listen to his directions carefully and trust him. Will the road be easy? Not a chance! But once you experience Jesus calming the storms of your life, you’ll have the courage and confidence to get back in the boat, believing that you will arrive on the other side. What’s so important about the other side? That’s where the fruit is! Ah!!! The fruit…and where the fruit is, is the best part of the story; but we will have to wait until next week when we continue our study in the gospel of Luke.
Blessings,
Mark Hamby
M.S., M. Div., Th. M., D. Min.
Recommended Reading:
Teddy’s Button book or audio CD (Ages 6+)
Kelly Nash (ages 9+)
The Hedge of Thorns book or audio CD (Ages 9+)
The Lamplighter (Ages 12+)
