Birds of a Feather

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At first reading, there doesn't seem to be much more to the parable than what Jesus explains. However, for those who have gardened, farmed/ranched, or simply tried to grow things, such efforts to grow any plant involves a bit more understanding as to environmental factors, soil type, and the seed itself.

I'm focusing on the environmental factor this week, specifically, "the birds of the air [that] devoured [the seed]". As Jesus reminds us in Luke 8:11, the seed is the word of God. Since the seed is the word of God, I've been pondering what form the "birds of the air" take in the world today which allows the "devil [to] come and take away the word from [some peoples'] hearts. so that they may not believe and be saved." After a week of contemplating this, I've figured out the two approaches from which the devil uses as represented by the two birds in my sketch.

“A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it…Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.

-Luke 8:5 & 11-12 (ESV)

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Bird one is what I call the internal pecking apart (pun intended) of the word of God from an intellectual or experiential level. I think this has come in many forms from dismissing the word of God, a wilful misunderstanding of it, and/or denial in the existence of God. Bird 2 represents external supporters of Bird 1, who share similar intellectual or experiential circumstances and encourage and promote the continual ripping away and destroying any chance for the word to enter their heart so that they may believe and be saved.

In reality, many believers may have been this type of soil for some time in their lives. I went through this stage in my life. I had an internal pecking apart of the word of God and surrounded myself in an echo chamber of people in a similar mindset, never truly believing in or understanding the power of Jesus and his sacrifice so that mankind could be reconciled to our triune God.

In your quiet time, pray and ask God if you were ever this type of soil and ask what do the birds in this parable represent.