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BA – the transforming seed

Stating these things, he [Jesus of Nazareth] was calling out, “The one having ears to hear, hear!” (Luke’s AD 60 research report re Jesus: Chapter 8: 8-15)
 
“These things” which Jesus had seen “stating” were not rigid rules or moral imperatives. Instead, he “was calling out” to individuals in a great crowd asking them to listen to a “parallel” about himself as both “sower” and “seed.” See Info AZ. 

The “parallel” also applied to each of them. How did they respond (if at all) to him? Their responses fell into one of four categories. In the “parallel”, each category was represented by the place where “the seed of himself” actually “fell”. 

But his disciples were asking him, “What is this parallel?” 

By asking, at least the disciples showed that they wanted “to hear”.

But he said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the realm of God, but for others those are in parallels, so that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’” 

The reply of Jesus, immediately above, seems to provide to the disciples the reason why he is then going to uncover to them “the secrets of the realm of God” within “the parallel.” It seems that “those secrets” will be kept from others. Those others may think that they “see” and that they “understand” but neither will be the case.

What is it that stops such people from such seeing and understanding? Was it because “the disciples” wanted “to know the secrets of the realm of God” within “the parallel”? Was that why it was “given to them to know”?
 
“But the parallel is this: The seed is the word of God.” 
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Jesus started “the parallel” with these words, “The sowing one came out to sow the seed of himself.” Am I correct in thinking that the whole of Jesus’ birth, deeds, teaching, death and resurrection constitutes “the word of God” sown amongst all humanity? And that this “seed” provokes one of four responses? Even today?

“But the ones upon the way are the ones having heard. After that the defaming one comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that, not believing, they may not be saved.” 

Some who hear “the seed … the word” are like a trampled roadway. But another unseen one, described by Jesus as “the defaming one”, is also active in “the heart” of these folk. If you listen carefully, you will hear the defamation of Jesus by others and by the media. 

“But the ones upon the rock who, when they may hear, with joy receive the word and these have no root who believe to a time, and in a time of testing are sent away.” 

Some who hear “the seed … the word” are like a rocky area in a field. A start is made but “a testing time” sends them away from “the word of God”.

“But the one fallen into the thorns, these are the hearing ones and, going under cares and riches and pleasures of human-living, they are suffocated and they do not carry on to completion.” 

Some who hear “the seed … the word” are like the uncultivated corners of a field where vigorous-but-unhelpful growth is taking place. Each person (not the “word of God”) is “suffocated” by everyday “human-living”.  
 
“But the one in the fine earth, these are those who, hearing the word, retain it in a fine and good heart, and bear fruit in steadfastness.” 
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Some who "see" and "understand" "the seed … the word” are like “fine earth.” “The seed” is “retained in a fine and good heart.” And, unlike the previous three responses, these “bear fruit in steadfastness.”

What does that mean in reality? If one plants a Jersey Royal potato, the “fruit” produced is many Jersey Royal potatoes. In “the parallel” it is “the seed … the word” which enlivens. Will the “fruit” then be like Jesus?
 
Sinner Syvret
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