2026 Luke 8-1, Are You a Path Soil, Rocky Soil, Thorny Soil or Good Soil?
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2026-06-07 15:44
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Are You a Path Soil, Rocky Soil, Thorny Soil or Good Soil?
Luke 8:1-15
Someone asks, “What and where is good news?” The answer is in verse 1, “Jesus and the Kingdom of God.” Everyone knows the kingdom of earth has many problems and it ends with death. Still, most people are near-sighted to think how to survive and how to live a better life on earth.
Our Lord Jesus has compassion that he came to this earth from heaven to give us the kingdom of God. On earth, he traveled from one town and village to another proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. This is life saving, most urgent, most important and most beautiful work on earth.
The Twelve were with Jesus. They were ordinary young men but had a learning and humble mind. They always followed Jesus. They were men of loyalty. The Bible calls them ‘disciples.’ Who are disciples? They are those who are with Jesus. The Twelve had lots of weaknesses and faults. But they always were with Jesus. Whenever and wherever Jesus traveled to preach and pray, they were with him. They did Bible study with Jesus. They went to the synagogue with him to worship God and heal the sick. They went to the retreat with him. Then they experienced the kingdom of God and Holy Spirit in Jesus. They became apostles and history makers. Jesus calls you to become his disciples. Qualification? Be with Jesus in worship, prayer, retreat and proclaiming the gospel. You will have the kingdom of God.
Look at verses 2-3. “and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.” At that time, women were ignored and considered inferior to men. But Luke gives these women an important place in Jesus’ ministry. They were healed and saved by Jesus. Then they followed Jesus everywhere he went because they loved him and because they found a holy mission. They were sacrificial and devotional to help to support Jesus and his ministry out of their own means. This handful of faithful, loyal and devotional women played the role like mothers in Jesus’ ministry. Why would Jesus need their support and help? But it was to bless them to be partner of him for the kingdom of God. If you feel to be forced to support the ministry of Jesus, don’t do it. If you know supporting the ministry of Jesus is God’s amazing grace, do it. He has healed you, saved you and blessed you and now calls you to be partners of him for his kingdom. The kingdom of God is yours.
Look at verse 4. A large crowd of people from every town were thronging around him. The Bible calls them ‘crowd.’ They were eager to get some immediate benefit. That was not wrong or bad. But their hearts were not prepared to receive the kingdom of God. The crowd just come to Jesus when they are in need but leave when they are fed or have their own plans or schedules without commitment. So the bible distinguishes disciples from the crowd. The disciples were always with Jesus and remained in him to the end. But the crowd shouted to kill Jesus when they knew they would not get any practical benefit.
Jesus was sorry for them who only tried to solve their agonies of life. The solution is right there, Jesus and the kingdom of God. But they were blinded spiritually that they rejected the word of Jesus and disciple’s life.
Out of mercy, Jesus told them a parable. Verse 5 says, “A farmer went out to sow his seed.” Here a farmer represents Jesus. The seed represents the word of God. And the soil refers to man’s heart. God created man to bear good fruit. Yes, that is man’s meaning and purpose. You and I are supposed t bear fruit that lasts forever that is the kingdom of God.
For good fruit, Jesus and the word of God are perfect. Now, bearing good fruit depends on man’s heart.
Man’s heart size is almost your fist and 300g in weight. However, to Jesus, man’s heart is a enormous harvest field. Once, Abraham’s heart size was small to take care of his son and wife. God planted his word in his heart. Then his heart grew to embrace all people of the world as a father of many nations. Moses’ heart embraced 600,000 wild and difficult people. But when we see, fallen men’s hearts are usually as small as the eye of a needle.
Look at verse 8. When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” We feel Jesus’ agony for the crowd. They had no ears to hear the word of Jesus. They loved Jesus’ message, “Come I will give you bread and rest.” But they left Jesus when they heard another message, “seek first God’s kingdom. Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.” Then many left Jesus. Jesus asked his 12 disciples, “You do not want to leave too, do you?” It means, “You are tempted to stop being with me.” Peter answered, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:68)
After hearing the parable, the crowd all left Jesus. But the disciples asked Jesus the meaning of the parable. Surely they had an ear to hear the word of God. Today, I pray that God may give you spiritual eye to understand the meaning of the parable and become a good soil to bear good fruit.
First, the path soil
Look at verses 12. “Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.” The seed planted on the pass cannot enter the path. This is a path-like heart. (asphalt) They are filled with their own ideas or worldly common senses. They hear the word of God but they remained unchanged because they do not accept it. When they come to church, they just count the number of attendees or pastor’s speech styles and either begin to sleep or check their smart phones or think of exams, sports games or TV dramas. Jesus says that Satan works on their hearts. This is path soil.
This kind of heart needs Bulldozer or earthquake to smash the hard heart drastically. Once a young man named Saul was like this soil. He was proud, very proud with his biblical knowledge and career that he rejected Jesus’ cross and resurrection. God smashed his asphalt like hart by light more bright and intense than son. He absolutely and totally knelt before Jesus and surrendered himself to him. He only boasted Jesus’ cross and worked hard than anyone else. I pray there may be spiritual earthquake or bulldozer work in your hearts.
Second, the rocky soil
Verse 13 says, “Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.” This ground looks fertile with good soil. But digging just 1 cm into the soil reveals small and big rocks underneath. They hear the word of God and immediately receive it with joy saying, "That's what I need! Thank God! Thank you, pastor!" These people are very emotional and impulsive. But the problem is that they have no root. ‘Quick hot, quick cold.’ They fail because they do not take root in Jesus’ grace and mission. Rootless people believe for a while but in the time of testing they fall away.
They are uncommitted people. They are like chaff blown by the winds. “Hey come here!” “Hey, let’s go there!” Then they go here and there like Cain. The word of God has not touched the depths of their natures, so they shrivel up when they have to face the toil and self-sacrifice inherent in the Christian life. When they have to grow and bear the fruit of the kingdom of God in spite of temptations and worldly demands, they fall away from God because they have no root in Jesus’ grace and mission. In church, the commitment problem is indeed serious. Some see church as a club. They do not know tears, labor and devotion for the Lord and joy and victory in the Lord.
In order to bear good fruit, you need to remove the rocks. How? Jesus says that rocky soil has no moisture. (6) Moisture is water and biblically speaking it represents tears referring to repentance and compassion. Peter repented with tears and finally took root in Jesus’ grace and mission that he bore such good fruits.
Third, the Thorny Soil
Look at verses 14. “The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.” They hear the word of God. They experience joy. They grow a little. But they do not bear fruit because they are choked by thorns.
Jesus mentions three thorns. The first is the worries of this life. Everyone has worries. This is natural. Right? No. Jesus says it is because we have no faith. Those who are pierced by the thorn of worry become powerless and selfish.
Another thorn is riches (money). How much do you need to be free from worry of money? God wants us to be satisfied with what we have whether big or small and continue to seek first God’s kingdom. But a thorny heart person always worry and think how to make more money. Lot left God’s promised land to become more wealthy. He bore the most shameful fruit.
In Luke 18, a young man came to Jesus and asked, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Extraordinary! He had power and wealth but he pursued eternal life. Jesus loved him and said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the young man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. He lost the kingdom of God. Don’t try to be rich in this world. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.(1 Timothy 6:10)
Another thorn is pleasure that is mostly lust. You must be very careful of this thorn because it suddenly appears to you and tempts you. If you swallow lust, it pierces you so painfully. I know a pastor whom I respect a lot. He was indeed excellent. But he made a mistake. Though he is still doing ministry, he has lost so many things. It seems that he is permanently marked with a scarlet letter.
God gives you what you want, career, job, money, health, social position and marriage. Be clear that these are blessings (not fruits but gifts) from God. God wants you to use such things to bear fruit, the kingdom of God. But thorny kind people are buried by such things that they bear ugly and shameful fruits like Lot.
In the Bible there is a man named Demas. He was one of spiritual warriors in Paul’s ministry with Timothy, Titus and a few more. Paul loved him deeply that he recorded him in his letters a few times. But 2 Timothy 4:10 says, “Demas has deserted me, since he loved this present world.” Demas is probably the most miserable person next to Judas Iscariot. Once he was a faithful and loyal coworker of Paul. For a long time, he served the ministry of God with Paul. He suffered with Paul. But he left Paul and the mission of God. Why? He loved the world. Timothy, Titus and Demas were all in same group and same spiritual level. But while timothy and Titus remained to the end to serve church of God, Demas left. What was the result? The Bible honors the name Timothy and Titus. But there is no the book of Demas in the Bible. His life ended in one short sentence. Do not give up on the way. Finish the race of faith and mission of God.
Trust in God and his promise, “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” There will be time you must choose between God and gold (worldly friends, girl friend, career or money). If you choose God, you will win. You will bear fruit.
Fourth, good soil
Look at verse 15. “But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.” A good soil heart, first, noble and good heart (learning and humble heart), second, hears the word of God attentively, third, retains it and fourth, perseveres it. Hearing the word of God is important. That is why God trained Israelites to eat daily bread. (Exodus 16)
The more important step is retaining even one word of God. It is to hold the word of God and obey it. Finally, it is preserving that is patience. When you endure to the end, you will bear fruit. The worst thing is runaway on the way.
There was ‘Cultural Revolution,’ a socio-political movement in China in 1966 launched by Mao Zedong. Mao persecuted and killed many Christians and kicked them out of China. All Christians must make a choice either remain or leave. Most missionaries left and went back to their countries. But one young Christian made a decision to remain. When he was asked, “Are you aware of danger of losing your life?” He answered. “Sir, you know a tea bag. When it enters hot water, it melts totally and changes the water’s color and taste. I will become like a tea bag for China.” (Oh, such student in SFU and our church!) He endured persecution and danger and sow the seed of the kingdom of God. In ten years, the Christian numbers increased 10 times.
I pray for you to become a good soil. I want you to bear 30, 60 times and 100 times fruit. I want you to bring 1 soul, 2 souls and 100 souls to Jesus. One day nothing will remain except your changed character in Jesus and the souls you bring to Jesus. Before God’s judgment seat, we will be asked by him, “Show me the fruit you have borne.” According to your answer, you will hear from him either one of these, “Well done, my good and faithful servant, take part in my joy in my kingdom forever.” Or, “You wicked and lazy servant.” May God bless you to become a good soil to bear abundant fruit.
Luke 8:1-15
Someone asks, “What and where is good news?” The answer is in verse 1, “Jesus and the Kingdom of God.” Everyone knows the kingdom of earth has many problems and it ends with death. Still, most people are near-sighted to think how to survive and how to live a better life on earth.
Our Lord Jesus has compassion that he came to this earth from heaven to give us the kingdom of God. On earth, he traveled from one town and village to another proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. This is life saving, most urgent, most important and most beautiful work on earth.
The Twelve were with Jesus. They were ordinary young men but had a learning and humble mind. They always followed Jesus. They were men of loyalty. The Bible calls them ‘disciples.’ Who are disciples? They are those who are with Jesus. The Twelve had lots of weaknesses and faults. But they always were with Jesus. Whenever and wherever Jesus traveled to preach and pray, they were with him. They did Bible study with Jesus. They went to the synagogue with him to worship God and heal the sick. They went to the retreat with him. Then they experienced the kingdom of God and Holy Spirit in Jesus. They became apostles and history makers. Jesus calls you to become his disciples. Qualification? Be with Jesus in worship, prayer, retreat and proclaiming the gospel. You will have the kingdom of God.
Look at verses 2-3. “and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.” At that time, women were ignored and considered inferior to men. But Luke gives these women an important place in Jesus’ ministry. They were healed and saved by Jesus. Then they followed Jesus everywhere he went because they loved him and because they found a holy mission. They were sacrificial and devotional to help to support Jesus and his ministry out of their own means. This handful of faithful, loyal and devotional women played the role like mothers in Jesus’ ministry. Why would Jesus need their support and help? But it was to bless them to be partner of him for the kingdom of God. If you feel to be forced to support the ministry of Jesus, don’t do it. If you know supporting the ministry of Jesus is God’s amazing grace, do it. He has healed you, saved you and blessed you and now calls you to be partners of him for his kingdom. The kingdom of God is yours.
Look at verse 4. A large crowd of people from every town were thronging around him. The Bible calls them ‘crowd.’ They were eager to get some immediate benefit. That was not wrong or bad. But their hearts were not prepared to receive the kingdom of God. The crowd just come to Jesus when they are in need but leave when they are fed or have their own plans or schedules without commitment. So the bible distinguishes disciples from the crowd. The disciples were always with Jesus and remained in him to the end. But the crowd shouted to kill Jesus when they knew they would not get any practical benefit.
Jesus was sorry for them who only tried to solve their agonies of life. The solution is right there, Jesus and the kingdom of God. But they were blinded spiritually that they rejected the word of Jesus and disciple’s life.
Out of mercy, Jesus told them a parable. Verse 5 says, “A farmer went out to sow his seed.” Here a farmer represents Jesus. The seed represents the word of God. And the soil refers to man’s heart. God created man to bear good fruit. Yes, that is man’s meaning and purpose. You and I are supposed t bear fruit that lasts forever that is the kingdom of God.
For good fruit, Jesus and the word of God are perfect. Now, bearing good fruit depends on man’s heart.
Man’s heart size is almost your fist and 300g in weight. However, to Jesus, man’s heart is a enormous harvest field. Once, Abraham’s heart size was small to take care of his son and wife. God planted his word in his heart. Then his heart grew to embrace all people of the world as a father of many nations. Moses’ heart embraced 600,000 wild and difficult people. But when we see, fallen men’s hearts are usually as small as the eye of a needle.
Look at verse 8. When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” We feel Jesus’ agony for the crowd. They had no ears to hear the word of Jesus. They loved Jesus’ message, “Come I will give you bread and rest.” But they left Jesus when they heard another message, “seek first God’s kingdom. Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.” Then many left Jesus. Jesus asked his 12 disciples, “You do not want to leave too, do you?” It means, “You are tempted to stop being with me.” Peter answered, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:68)
After hearing the parable, the crowd all left Jesus. But the disciples asked Jesus the meaning of the parable. Surely they had an ear to hear the word of God. Today, I pray that God may give you spiritual eye to understand the meaning of the parable and become a good soil to bear good fruit.
First, the path soil
Look at verses 12. “Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.” The seed planted on the pass cannot enter the path. This is a path-like heart. (asphalt) They are filled with their own ideas or worldly common senses. They hear the word of God but they remained unchanged because they do not accept it. When they come to church, they just count the number of attendees or pastor’s speech styles and either begin to sleep or check their smart phones or think of exams, sports games or TV dramas. Jesus says that Satan works on their hearts. This is path soil.
This kind of heart needs Bulldozer or earthquake to smash the hard heart drastically. Once a young man named Saul was like this soil. He was proud, very proud with his biblical knowledge and career that he rejected Jesus’ cross and resurrection. God smashed his asphalt like hart by light more bright and intense than son. He absolutely and totally knelt before Jesus and surrendered himself to him. He only boasted Jesus’ cross and worked hard than anyone else. I pray there may be spiritual earthquake or bulldozer work in your hearts.
Second, the rocky soil
Verse 13 says, “Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.” This ground looks fertile with good soil. But digging just 1 cm into the soil reveals small and big rocks underneath. They hear the word of God and immediately receive it with joy saying, "That's what I need! Thank God! Thank you, pastor!" These people are very emotional and impulsive. But the problem is that they have no root. ‘Quick hot, quick cold.’ They fail because they do not take root in Jesus’ grace and mission. Rootless people believe for a while but in the time of testing they fall away.
They are uncommitted people. They are like chaff blown by the winds. “Hey come here!” “Hey, let’s go there!” Then they go here and there like Cain. The word of God has not touched the depths of their natures, so they shrivel up when they have to face the toil and self-sacrifice inherent in the Christian life. When they have to grow and bear the fruit of the kingdom of God in spite of temptations and worldly demands, they fall away from God because they have no root in Jesus’ grace and mission. In church, the commitment problem is indeed serious. Some see church as a club. They do not know tears, labor and devotion for the Lord and joy and victory in the Lord.
In order to bear good fruit, you need to remove the rocks. How? Jesus says that rocky soil has no moisture. (6) Moisture is water and biblically speaking it represents tears referring to repentance and compassion. Peter repented with tears and finally took root in Jesus’ grace and mission that he bore such good fruits.
Third, the Thorny Soil
Look at verses 14. “The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.” They hear the word of God. They experience joy. They grow a little. But they do not bear fruit because they are choked by thorns.
Jesus mentions three thorns. The first is the worries of this life. Everyone has worries. This is natural. Right? No. Jesus says it is because we have no faith. Those who are pierced by the thorn of worry become powerless and selfish.
Another thorn is riches (money). How much do you need to be free from worry of money? God wants us to be satisfied with what we have whether big or small and continue to seek first God’s kingdom. But a thorny heart person always worry and think how to make more money. Lot left God’s promised land to become more wealthy. He bore the most shameful fruit.
In Luke 18, a young man came to Jesus and asked, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Extraordinary! He had power and wealth but he pursued eternal life. Jesus loved him and said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the young man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. He lost the kingdom of God. Don’t try to be rich in this world. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.(1 Timothy 6:10)
Another thorn is pleasure that is mostly lust. You must be very careful of this thorn because it suddenly appears to you and tempts you. If you swallow lust, it pierces you so painfully. I know a pastor whom I respect a lot. He was indeed excellent. But he made a mistake. Though he is still doing ministry, he has lost so many things. It seems that he is permanently marked with a scarlet letter.
God gives you what you want, career, job, money, health, social position and marriage. Be clear that these are blessings (not fruits but gifts) from God. God wants you to use such things to bear fruit, the kingdom of God. But thorny kind people are buried by such things that they bear ugly and shameful fruits like Lot.
In the Bible there is a man named Demas. He was one of spiritual warriors in Paul’s ministry with Timothy, Titus and a few more. Paul loved him deeply that he recorded him in his letters a few times. But 2 Timothy 4:10 says, “Demas has deserted me, since he loved this present world.” Demas is probably the most miserable person next to Judas Iscariot. Once he was a faithful and loyal coworker of Paul. For a long time, he served the ministry of God with Paul. He suffered with Paul. But he left Paul and the mission of God. Why? He loved the world. Timothy, Titus and Demas were all in same group and same spiritual level. But while timothy and Titus remained to the end to serve church of God, Demas left. What was the result? The Bible honors the name Timothy and Titus. But there is no the book of Demas in the Bible. His life ended in one short sentence. Do not give up on the way. Finish the race of faith and mission of God.
Trust in God and his promise, “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” There will be time you must choose between God and gold (worldly friends, girl friend, career or money). If you choose God, you will win. You will bear fruit.
Fourth, good soil
Look at verse 15. “But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.” A good soil heart, first, noble and good heart (learning and humble heart), second, hears the word of God attentively, third, retains it and fourth, perseveres it. Hearing the word of God is important. That is why God trained Israelites to eat daily bread. (Exodus 16)
The more important step is retaining even one word of God. It is to hold the word of God and obey it. Finally, it is preserving that is patience. When you endure to the end, you will bear fruit. The worst thing is runaway on the way.
There was ‘Cultural Revolution,’ a socio-political movement in China in 1966 launched by Mao Zedong. Mao persecuted and killed many Christians and kicked them out of China. All Christians must make a choice either remain or leave. Most missionaries left and went back to their countries. But one young Christian made a decision to remain. When he was asked, “Are you aware of danger of losing your life?” He answered. “Sir, you know a tea bag. When it enters hot water, it melts totally and changes the water’s color and taste. I will become like a tea bag for China.” (Oh, such student in SFU and our church!) He endured persecution and danger and sow the seed of the kingdom of God. In ten years, the Christian numbers increased 10 times.
I pray for you to become a good soil. I want you to bear 30, 60 times and 100 times fruit. I want you to bring 1 soul, 2 souls and 100 souls to Jesus. One day nothing will remain except your changed character in Jesus and the souls you bring to Jesus. Before God’s judgment seat, we will be asked by him, “Show me the fruit you have borne.” According to your answer, you will hear from him either one of these, “Well done, my good and faithful servant, take part in my joy in my kingdom forever.” Or, “You wicked and lazy servant.” May God bless you to become a good soil to bear abundant fruit.