Matthew 13:13-15 (CEV)
“I use stories when I speak to them because when they look, they cannot see, and when they listen, they cannot hear or understand. So God’s promise came true, just as the prophet Isaiah had said,
“These people will listen and listen, but never understand. They will look and look, but never see.
All of them have stubborn minds!
They refuse to listen; they cover their eyes.
They cannot see or hear or understand. If they could, they would turn to me, and I would heal them.”
Matthew 13:3-4 (NLT)
He told many stories in the form of parables, such as this one:
“Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds. As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them.
Matthew 13:19 (NLT)
The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts.
Get Understanding
Matthew 13:5-6 (NLT)
Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died.
Matthew 13:20-21 (NLT)
The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word.
Grow Roots
Matthew 13:7 (NLT)
Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants.
Matthew 13:22 (NLT)
The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced.
Glorify Faith Over Fiction
Matthew 13:8 (NLT)
Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!
Matthew 13:23 (NLT)
The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”