In Luke 8:14,15 Jesus told
his disciples the parable of the sower.
In verse 11, He said: “The seed
is the word of God”.....God’s will for our lives is fruitfulness (Psalm 1:3) - He is like a
tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose
leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
And he shall be like a tree - A
description of the happiness or prosperity of the man who thus avoids the way
of sinners, and who delights in the law of God, now follows. This is presented
in the form of a very beautiful image - a tree planted where its roots would
have abundance of water.
Planted by the rivers of water
- It is not a tree that springs up spontaneously, but one that is set out in a
favorable place, and that is cultivated with care. Like a tree planted - Not
like one growing wild, however strong or luxuriant it may appear; but one that
has been carefully cultivated, and for the proper growth of which all the
advantages of soil and situation have been chosen. If a child be brought up in
the discipline and admonition of the Lord, we have both reason and revelation
to encourage us to expect a godly and useful life. Where religious education is
neglected, alas! what fruits of righteousness can be expected? An uncultivated
soul is like an uncultivated field, all overgrown with briers, thorns, and
thistles.
His fruit in his season - In such a
case expectation is never disappointed. Fruit is expected, fruit is borne; and
it comes also in the time in which it should come. A godly education, under the
influences of the Divine Spirit, which can never be withheld where they are
earnestly sought, is sure to produce the fruits of righteousness; and he who
reads, prays, and meditates, will ever see the work which God has given him to
do; the power by which he is to perform it; and the times, places and opportunities
for doing those things by which God can obtain most glory, his own soul most
good, and his neighbor most edification.
His leaf also shall not wither - His profession
of true religion shall always be regular and unsullied; and his faith be ever
shown by his works. As the leaves and the fruit are the evidences of the
vegetative perfection of the tree; so a zealous religious profession,
accompanied with good works, are the evidences of the soundness of faith in the
Christian man
Whatsoever he doeth shall prosper -
It is always healthy; it is extending its roots, increasing its woody fibres,
circulating its nutritive juices, putting forth fruitbuds, blossoms, leaves, or
fruit; and all these operations go on in a healthy tree, in their proper
seasons. So the godly man; he is ever taking deeper root growing stronger in
the grace he has already received, increasing in heavenly desires, and under
the continual influence of the Divine Spirit, forming those purposes from which
much fruit to the glory and praise of God shall be produced.
“Now he who supplies seed to
the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seeds
and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness” (2 Cor 9:10)
