Luke 8:1-25

The next day, while Jesus was traveling through some cities and small towns, he preached and told the Good News about God’s kingdom. The 12 apostles were with him. There were also some women with him who had been healed of sicknesses and evil spirits. One of the women was Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out. Also among the women were Joanna, the wife of Chuza (Herod’s helper), Susanna, and many other women. These women used their own money to help Jesus and his apostles. A great crowd gathered. People were coming to Jesus from every town. He told them this story: “A farmer went out to plant his seed. While he was planting, some seed fell beside the road. People walked on the seed, and the birds ate all this seed. Some seed fell on rock. It began to grow but then died because it had no water. Some seed fell among thorny weeds. This seed grew, but later the weeds choked the good plants. And some seed fell on good ground. This seed grew and made 100 times more grain.” Jesus finished the story. Then he called out, “Let those with ears use them and listen!” Jesus’ followers asked him, “What does this story mean?” Jesus said, “You have been chosen to know the secret truths of the kingdom of God. But I use stories to speak to other people. I do this so that: ‘They will look, but they may not see. They will listen, but they may not understand.’ Isaiah 6:9 “This is what the story means: The seed is God’s teaching. What is the seed that fell beside the road? It is like the people who hear God’s teaching, but then the devil comes and takes it away from their hearts. So they cannot believe the teaching and be saved. What is the seed that fell on rock? It is like those who hear God’s teaching and accept it gladly. But they don’t have deep roots. They believe for a while, but then trouble comes. They stop believing and turn away from God. What is the seed that fell among the thorny weeds? It is like those who hear God’s teaching, but they let the worries, riches, and pleasures of this life keep them from growing. So they never produce good fruit. And what is the seed that fell on the good ground? That is like those who hear God’s teaching with a good, honest heart. They obey God’s teaching and patiently produce good fruit. “No one lights a lamp and then covers it with a bowl or hides it under a bed. Instead, he puts the lamp on a lampstand so that those who come in will have enough light to see. Everything that is hidden will become clear. Every secret thing will be made known. So be careful how you listen. The person who has something will be given more. But to the person who has nothing, this will happen: Even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.” Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him. There was such a crowd that they could not get to him. Someone said to Jesus, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside. They want to see you.” Jesus answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who listen to God’s teaching and obey it!” One day Jesus and his followers got into a boat. He said to them, “Come with me across the lake.” And so they started across. While they were sailing, Jesus fell asleep. A big storm blew up on the lake. The boat began to fill with water, and they were in danger. The followers went to Jesus and woke him. They said, “Master! Master! We will drown!” Jesus got up and gave a command to the wind and the waves. The wind stopped, and the lake became calm. Jesus said to his followers, “Where is your faith?” The followers were afraid and amazed. They said to each other, “What kind of man is this? He commands the wind and the water, and they obey him!”