“Hear then the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. Matthew 13:18-19
People are hearing and the word is sown in the heart YET the word is snatched away because of the lack of understanding. Understanding then becomes key to the seed being fruitful.
Without burdening you about things you already know, let me remind you that every seed needs water and care to grow up. As we are called the planting of the Lord, we find we are washed by the water of the word. We are pruned in order to bear more fruit and exhorted to tend the garden of our hearts. This simply sets the standard for healthy growth in all things; condition of soil, water and care.
Follow this process with me as we evaluate the gardens of our hearts. Every word sown paints a picture for us. We carry a hopeful expectation of this word bearing fruit. At some point, for every person, life does not equate to the expectation, and as Jesus goes on to explain, because this seed has not developed a root system strong enough to sustain it, the word is snatched away.
Let’s exam this word ‘understanding’. From Helps Word Study ~
4920 syníēmi (from 4862 /sýn, "together with" and hiēmi, "put, send") – properly, put together, i.e. join facts (ideas) into a comprehensive (inter-locking) whole; synthesize.
4920 /syníēmi ("put facts together") means to arrive at a summary or final understanding (complete with life-applications).
Accordingly, 4920 (syníēmi) is closely connected with discerning and doing "the preferred-will of God" (2307 /thélēma).
Eph 5:17: "So then do not be foolish (878 /áphrōn), but understand (4920 /syníēmi) what the preferred-will (2307 /thélēma) of the Lord is.”
If our understanding is framed through our own human weakness of self and pride, we shape the word to exalt us. If our understanding is shaped by His purpose for the vessel then there is a sustaining life flow within the root system. Consider Jesus’ life during ministry. The circumstances he met never moved Him from purpose. He met nothing that brought him confusion. Tempted yes, but without sin and always moving forward into the purposes of God.
Confusion resides in the lack of understanding which is challenged when hope is deferred.
Jesus, from the three different gospels, highlights these points -
From Luke, Jesus said to his disciples - it has been given to you to know the secrets of the Kingdom.
From Matthew’s gospel we are told that the disciples ears and eyes are blessed.
From Marks gospel he says, if you don’t understand this one parable how can you understand any others?
The hearing is the invite into conversation with the Father to understand, to ask and receive, to knock and have it opened, to seek and find.
The Holy Spirit , the revealer of the heart and mind of God, the one who takes the words of Jesus and teaches us, imparts wisdom and understanding but these must be mined out. These truths are described as secrets and mysteries, not to be withheld, but to be discovered by those who earnestly desire the knowledge of God to do His work.
Proverbs 2: 1-6 NET.. if you receive my words and store up my commands inside yourself by making your ear attentive to wisdom and by turning your heart to understanding…. Then you will understand… for the Lord gives wisdom and from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.
Understanding is the beginning of this teaching from Jesus on the power of the seed.