And as for what 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. 15 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.
On our Prayer Walks, we can tell which ones have heard from us the message of the gospel and those who went on their way to the world and its pleasures, so called. How gratifying then, when we see someone hear it and respond by becoming a disciple, rather than just a convert, of Christ. Then we teach them the word of the Lord and watch them become part of a community of followers of Jesus Christ. Jesus had just given the Parable of the Sower and the disciples were perplexed as to what the parable meant.
The answer Jesus gave tells us that it is still a timely story for today. We encounter those who appreciate what we are doing but believe none of the message. Still others react with joy at our prayer for their salvation, only to fall away within days of that prayer. Still others cannot let go of the world’s stuff. Occasionally though, someone will walk into our church and I will know we have seen them somewhere. Sometimes it is the Prayer Walk. Other times it is from our Flea Market Outreach. Whenever I see them, I see that the Lord is good and bears fruit in patience.
Dear Lord, thank you for changing hearts and minds from worldly pleasure seekers to fishers of men. Help us to bear good fruit. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church