Introduction to the Heart
13 The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side.
2 And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.
3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:
5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:
6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:
8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.
9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Matthew 13: 1-9
To most bible students, this is a familiar scripture that is oftentimes used to describe 4 different conditions of the heart in man. Even though it is familiar, we can still learn from these scriptures to help us in our everyday walk with God. This study will actually be a series of lessons on the heart. In the end, we will hopefully explain what it truly means to have a “good” heart and how that condition is achieved.
However, we must first start with the context of this scripture. You can also find other versions of this account in Mark the 4th chapter and Luke the 8th chapter (We will use all three accounts in this study). In all accounts, you find Jesus speaking to a multitude of people. Both Matthew and Mark describe Jesus as being in a boat and speaking to the masses that were along the coast or sea side. It was not unusual for Jesus to speak to crowds. However, this was the first time that He spoke to them in parables. This practice was not uncommon in that part of the world at that time. Oftentimes teachers would use this method to convey spiritual truth through a series of earthly comparisons.
Jesus knew that his time, on this earth, was coming to an end. He also knew the hearts of men. This was a time for distinction; a time of separation. This was a time to separate his true followers from those that just followed for the “loaves and the fishes.” Matthew 13: 10-17 elaborates on this point. Jesus understood the distinction between his true disciples and those that just followed because of their want of fulfilling selfish desires. The later were actually blinded to their condition, neither could they truly hear and understand. Jesus said that their hearts were dull, as well as, their ears. Their eyes were actually closed .. yet they still followed.
So what was Jesus teaching about? The context of the “story” is set in agrarian culture. In today’s society we would liken the sower to a farmer and sowing would be likened unto planting. However, in those days, they did not have all of the modern farm implements that we have today. Don’t get me wrong farming is not an easy job or an easy life. But imagine having to plant or sow by hand. The sowers work was very labor intensive. There was much effort in not only planting but more importantly in preparing the soil for planting. Also understand that they were not in Kansas! The terrain in that region was hilly and oftentimes very rough. To find a “parcel” to plant was oftentimes difficult. And once land was found, clearing it and preparing the soil was a “full-time” job. The land was probably better for raising cattle than growing crops.
Remember, however, Jesus was speaking in a parable. Each subject in the story has meaning. I will focus on two of the three main subjects now; the seed and the ground. Mark 4: 14 states:
The sower soweth the word.
Luke 8: 15 states:
But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it and bring forth fruit with patience.
You can take from these two scripture that Jesus was teaching about the word and about the heart; the seed being the word and the ground being the heart. Interestingly, try reading the text in Matthew and substitute the words. Use the word “word” where it is appropriate and use the word “heart” when the scripture talks about the type of ground. You begin to get a better picture of what Jesus was teaching and the distinction that He was beginning to make.
Lastly, let’s define the terms “word” and “heart.” John 1: 1-5 states:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The same was in the beginning with God.
All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
And the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not.
Mark 12:30 states:
And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy mind, and with all they strength: this is the first commandment.
The Word, by John’s definition, is much easier to understand and comprehend. At its basis, the Word is Jesus Christ. However, defining the heart is not as easy … and that is what these series of posts will attempt to define. By the scripture in Mark, we know that the heart is distinct from the mind and from our will or strength. It goes much deeper and will, again, be the focus of this study.
Please stay with us through the next series of posts. My hope is that, with the Lord’s guidance and the Holy Ghost’s blessing that we will together come to a greater understanding of our own hearts and how, when properly surrendered, it can be used to bring forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
JEFF