What Jesus Did! 'Too Many Stories?' — Luke 8:5-10

Thursday, May 11, 2023

[Jesus told this story:] "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!" 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.'"
— Luke 8:5-10 NLT

Key Thought

"You know, some people really like that person's preaching, but I think the sermons have too many stories! Too many people today just want to be entertained with stories. What I like is just good ol' plain preaching!"

Yes, that's something I've heard a time or two. What the person making the accusation fails to realize is that God's greatest preachers, including Jesus, made frequent use of stories and physical illustrations in their preaching and prophecies. Can a person use too many stories? Probably not if they are used as Jesus often used them — to help the listeners gain insight and have a visual cue to help them remember the main point of his message. In his parables, which are stories told to teach a lesson, Jesus used stories and sometimes added an explanation. Both were done to make things clear to his disciples but make things confusing to his critics and opponents.

It is true that stories can be used frivolously or to manipulate the emotions of people. On the other hand, stories can also be used powerfully to drive home important spiritual truths. They can be used to help give the listener a deeper insight into those truths by enabling that listener to grab hold of self-discovered insights into God's truth through his or her processing of the stories. At the same time, those outside the truth-seeking audience are left in the dark about the message, taking away much of their power for criticism.

Today's Prayer

Father, thank you for the power of stories to illustrate your truth and to help me remember that truth more easily. Especially, dear Father, thank you for giving me the Bible to tell me about your love for all people and your plan for Jesus to come to earth. I know the Bible has many different kinds of stories that tell of your work in the world and your love for your children. Bless me as I take time each day to open my heart to those stories. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Matthew 13:9-13
  • Luke 13:6-9
  • Mark 12:12

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Illustration

Illustration of Luke 8:5-10 NLT — "A farmer went out to plant his seed."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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