The Hardened Heart

The seed is wonderful and miraculous, absolutely perfect.  It is sown by the master gardener, the maker Himself.  It has the capacity to break through the soil and create infinite results of transformation and beauty.  But the fruit depends upon the condition of the soil, the willingness of the human heart to be infiltrated and changed.

Jesus ‘parable of the Sower is the key to understanding the transformation power of His Kingdom. Since the word of God is perfect and life-giving, the sole variable is the sinful heart.

“A farmer went out to sow his seed.  As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.”  How did the path become hard, impenetrable? Could it be that it has been walked upon for many years, developing a tough surface that protects it from threat and pain? Have we ever considered the difficulties that others experience, the atrocities and the torture that shape the psyche?

Our defensive reactions to the proclamation of the Gospel may seem justified and even honorable, but they may simply make the ground harder.  What would it take to soften a heart that has been battered and beaten by years of deceit and abuse?

Jesus says that the hardened heart will not receive the word of God and the good news will quickly be erased from memory, no time to contemplate the beauty of Christ. The body of believers, the church, exists to be a permanent reminder of the grace of God, a safe community of peace and healing. Would acceptance and friendship help to “break up the fallow ground”?

Certainly, beating our swords and weapons into plowshares is a result of end-times fulfillment, but wouldn't it be helpful to skip ahead and stop using our weapons against people who are struggling and find creative ways to love them and allow God to create marvelous fruit in their hearts?

At the very least let’s not be so quick to shake the dust off of our feet and move on…