4-8 One day Jesus told a story in the form of a parable to a large crowd that had gathered from many towns to hear him: “A farmer went out to plant his seed. As he scattered it across his field, some seed fell on a footpath, where it was stepped on, and the birds ate it. Other seed fell among rocks. It began to grow, but the plant soon wilted and died for lack of moisture. Other seed fell among thorns that grew up with it and choked out the tender plants. Still other seed fell on fertile soil. This seed grew and produced a crop that was a hundred times as much as had been planted!” 8-10 When he had said this, he called out, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” His disciples asked him what this parable meant. He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables to teach the others so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled: ‘When they look, they won’t really see. When they hear, they won’t understand.’”

11-12 “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is God’s word. The seeds that fell on the footpath represent those who hear the message, only to have the devil come and take it away from their hearts and prevent them from believing and being saved. 13 The seeds on the rocky soil represent those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they believe for a while, then they fall away when they face temptation. 14 The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity. 15 And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.”

16-17 “No one lights a lamp and then covers it with a bowl or hides it under a bed. A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light can be seen by all who enter the house. For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all. 18 So pay attention to how you hear. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what they think they understand will be taken away from them.” Luke 8:4-18 New Living Translation (English Standard Version link )

This parable is so well known that many will quickly gloss over it. Yet, in a way, that is the very thing the parable is all about! It's to do with the way we receive and respond to God's word and the impact it has on our lives. (vs 8-10). From some it is immediately taken away, others neglect it, and some give up on it when hard times come. Have you perhaps experienced any of the difficulties described in vs 13-14 in your journey with the Lord?

What is the danger described in vs 8-10 when people are indifferent to God's message and don't give it their full attention – and is God fair in how He responds to their indifference?

I'd say God is perfectly entitled to hide the meaning of His word from those who put no value on it anyway. That's why the writer of Hebrews says: “We must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. For the message God delivered through angels (in the Old Testament) always stood firm, and every violation of the law and every act of disobedience was punished. So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak?” (Hebrews 2:1-3)

Verses 16-18 suggest that how we've responded to God's message will become evident and obvious as time goes by. Verse 18 is particularly important and backs up Hebrews 2:1-3)

Finally, what does vs 15 tell us about 'being a Christian' – and the sort of people Jesus wants us to be? Remember, if he has brought light into our life – we mustn't hide it away. We need to live out the message that we have heard and believed.