Luke 8
This chapter commences by connecting the Lord's actings, in the cities and villages He went through, with His acting in the Pharisee's house; which involved the owning of worthless ones, blessed in Him, He presenting Himself as their help, and accepting of their services, as the expressions of blessing realized in Him. The three companions whose names are recorded, seem to imply, First: manifest evil in the flesh, because of seven devils in-dwelling. Second, evil connection in the world because of relationship in the flesh to the enemies of the Lord. Third, names of obscurity as to the flesh, about whom little could be gathered,-as Susanna. Such were found of Christ and blessed in Him. The devil being cast out, a new relationship is set up. The name of obscurity is brought to light, because owned of Him. All the old things are worthless and evil, but all done away in Him, and all things become new.
In this parable a new thing is introduced—nothing of the flesh is owned, but the seed is sown-the word of God.
This word is subject to three great hindrances to fruitfulness-to be trodden down-to be taken in without any depth -to be received amongst other principles, -as those of nature. Each cause of unfruitfulness soon develops itself. If trodden down, the devil takes it away. If it is not valued, it will soon be taken away. This treading down is open undervaluing, and the expression of supposed worthlessness. The devil is seen in this by Him, who knows the mysteries of these things. Many do not know them.
If it be received without sustaining power, the time of temptation will be the time of falling away. The temptation is not the cause, but the absence of power to preserve the word in growth under circumstances that would blight it. Blessed are they that endure the trial. If the trial is against the word, there is that within to sustain in it.
If the word is received amongst principles of nature, to let all grow up together,-cares, riches, and pleasures of this life,-the result will be that the word will be choked. In the preceding case there was the absence of that which would sustain in the lack of moisture-in this the presence of what would choke, cares, &c., and no fruit is brought to perfection. But blessed are they who, in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. The thing of value with such is the word. The devil cannot take it away, because it is not slighted. The hour of temptation is endured, because of its known blessedness, above and beyond all trial in the flesh. The things of the flesh cannot choke it, because the unholy association between it and them is not allowed. Such have their trials, but they are sustained in patience. If there are trials still fruitfulness is there, because of the deep abiding of the living nurtured word. And if cares, riches, and pleasures of this life come in competition, they are of the flesh, and such can be mortified; but the word is held in the Spirit, and is this paramount to them all, because of the power of God..
The intelligence of these mysteries is given to discipleship—blindness about them and want of intelligence is the state of others.
You find men maintaining philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. Such is not the labor of discipleship, and therefore beware of such. The faithful laborer will sow the seed; and the seed is the word of God.
The obedient ear and heart will hear the word and keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. " As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in • him: rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving."