“And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.”

Luke 8:15

Last Friday, I began reflecting on Luke 8:4-15, the Parable of the Sower and Jesus’ interpretation of this parable. I focused on an assumption made by Jesus: we are meant to live fruitful lives. In fact, God wants us to produce a “huge harvest” (8:15).

Today I want to ask the question: How? How, according to Jesus in this passage, can we live so as to bear ample fruit in our lives? How can we live so our live really make a difference for God’s kingdom in the world?

Jesus’ answer to this question comes in verse 15. Among the seeds sown on various soils, those that “fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.” Jesus describes three facets of ample fruit-bearing: hearing the word with a good heart, clinging to it, and patiently bearing fruit.

What does it mean to hear the word with a good heart? We must remember that the heart, in the culture of Jesus, was not so much the seat of the emotions as the center of the will. So hearing the word with a good heart does not mean listening cheerfully, though this is not a bad thing, of course. Rather, good-hearted listening means being open. It is choosing to attend to God’s Word. It is deciding to pay close attention to what God is saying.

Moreover, listening with a good heart implies a willingness, not only to believe what is said, but also to do it. I’ve shared in previous reflections my own tendency to turn Bible reading into a purely intellectual exercise. It’s great that I want to understand God’s Word. But I must also be willing to let it impact my daily life. Good-hearted listening includes an attitude of obedience and eagerness to live by God’s truth.

In tomorrow’s reflection, I’ll continue to work on the question of how we can live fruitful lives. For today, I’d encourage you to examine your attitude when it comes to Scripture. Thus, you might take time to consider the following questions.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: Are you listening with a good heart? Are you open to what God wants to teach you, and to how God might call you? Are you willing to change the way you live in light of God’s Word?

PRAYER: Dear Lord, I want to be good seed! I want to hear your Word with a good, receptive, available, open heart. As I read and reflect upon your Word each day, may I be ready to hear from you. May my heart be attentive to the truth in Scripture and to what your Spirit wants to say to me through it. May I be ready to believe and to obey.

I pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.