Until Christ Be Formed In You - Part 945

"My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you." (Galatians 4:19)

Often, Jesus told parables to the multitudes so that those with "ears to hear" could acquire the inherent treasures that can only be realized by giving one's total heart, mind, soul and strength to Jesus. It was within this context that I, while reading the parable of the sower and the seed, was struck by the word "choked" -- as in "choked with the cares and riches and pleasures of [this] life, [bringing] no fruit to perfection." (Luke 8:14)

How many of us have been there before -- "choked" by the earthly cares of this world, and wondering where to turn? Herein, Jesus shares a timely parable that is recorded in three of the four gospels. It is a message that should be near and dear to all believers, particularly those of us living in these latter days.

Jesus begins the parable, "Behold, a sower went forth to sow, and when he sowed, some [seeds] fell by the wayside -- and the fowls came and devoured them up. Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth; and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth. And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns and the thorns sprung up and choked them. But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold." (Matthew 13:3-9)

Luke offers a somewhat different take on the parable: "And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, [Jesus] spake by a parable. "A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, He cried, "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." (Luke 8:4-8)

Mark writes: Jesus taught them many things by parables, "and said unto them in His doctrine, "Hearken. Behold, there went out a sower to sow: and it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred." (Mark 4:2-8)

Upon hearing the parable, the disciples -- (followers of Jesus who walked with Him daily) -- asked Him, "Why speak Thou unto them in parables?" And Jesus answered, saying, "Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 13:11)

Jesus said "unto you" -- those who follow Him in both Word and deed in everything they do. How do we know this? Because Jesus said that He no longer calls us "servants" because a servant does not know his Master's business. Instead, He calls us "friends" because it is given unto us who believe in Him by faith to KNOW the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus said, "Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knows not what His Lord does: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of My Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in My name, He may give it you." (John 15:15-17)

In other words, the lesson here is that we ARE to know and understand our Father's business. Even more so now in these last days, because He has given us His Spirit -- the Comforter -- who will lead us into all knowledge and truth. (Acts 2:37-47)

Let me repeat the same teaching again from the book of Mark: Jesus said, "Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God, but unto them that are without, all [these] things are done in parables -- that "seeing, they may see, and not perceive; and hearing, they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted and their sins should be forgiven them." (Mark 4:10-12)

Still, the disciples did not understand the parable of the sower and the seed. "Know ye not this parable?" Jesus asked, "And how then will ye know all parables?" This is certainly a good question. How can we as believers in Jesus Christ by faith, conduct our heavenly Father's business -- His business of the kingdom -- if we don't understand what our Father's business is about?

"Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: that seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and [their] sins should be forgiven them."

As Jesus soon explained, "The sower soweth the Word" continuing steadfastly in the apostle's doctrine. (Mark 4:2, 13-14; Mark 12:38; Acts 2:42) And "teaching [all nations] to observe all things whatsoever [Jesus] commanded." (Matthew 28:20) But Jesus did not stop there.

"And these are they by the wayside, where the Word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan comes immediately, and takes away the Word that was sown in their hearts. And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the Word, immediately receive it with gladness ... and have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the Word's sake, immediately they are offended. And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the Word, and the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the Word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred." (Mark 4:15-20; Luke 8:11-15)

The latter being those believers who willingly step out in faith, giving themselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the Word. (Acts 6:4)

As Jesus said unto them, "Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick? For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear." (Mark 4:22-23)

And He further said unto them, "Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete. It shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken -- even that which he hath."

He said, "So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground, and should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knows not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come." (Mark 4:24-29)

Then Jesus said, "Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what comparison shall we compare it? [It is] like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: but when it is sown, it grows up, and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it." (Mark 4:30-32)

Don't be choked among the thorns -- with the cares and riches and pleasures of this world. (Luke 8:11-15) Instead, clothe yourself with His Word -- and let it fall on the good ground, with an honest and good heart, having heard the Word keep it, bringing forth fruit with patience -- until Christ be formed in you. (Luke 8:11-15)

Most of all, know that it is given to you and I to know the business of His kingdom. Therefore, trust Jesus daily for His goodness and mercy and grace. Read His Word. Meditate on His many promises to the faithful. Stand in the offering plate.