Luke 8:9-21: In this passage, we hear the Lord Jesus speaking, and, at least seven times, He referred to the subject of hearing the Word of God and its implications.

In explaining the parable of the Sower, the Lord said,

“..so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand” (vs 10(b)).

“The ones along the path are those who have heard. Then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts….(vs12)

“And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away.” (vs13)

“And as for those who fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.” (vs14)

“As for that in the good soil, they are those who,hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.” (vs15)

Moving to the ‘Lamp under a Jar’, Jesus said,

“Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.” (vs 18)

Referring to His Mother and Brothers, Jesus said,

“My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it. (vs21)

Notice ‘hear’, ‘hearing’ and the responses to the Word of God in each reference.

It is sad but true that we may hear the Word and not understand. We may hear but the evil one takes away what we heard and there is no impact on our lives and hearts. We may hear but we have no root; the Word does not take a hold on our hearts and there is no deepening of the truth in our lives. Scripture tells us in the OT that we need to take roots downwards in order to bear fruits upward. Without the depth of root, the ‘storms’ of life and testing would cause the ‘plant’ to collapse.

The ‘plant’ can also be choked by thorns and weeds; the fruit does not mature. The cares and riches and pleasures of this life (Babylon) would choke the ‘plant’ and eventually, it dies.

It is the honest and good heart that matters; we must be honest, sincere, teachable when God speaks through His Word if we desire to be fruitful. It is paradoxical but true; the one who receives what is shared by God is in a position to receive more, for his heart is open to the Word and voice of God.
Jesus values us and our relationship with Him by our response to His Word and our doing of His Word. Let us remember to be doers of the Word, not hearers only. He treats us as members of HIs family and He is close to us who hearken to HIs Word.

So hear, listen and apply His Word in our lives!