As my family embraces the Christmas season with chocolate Advent calendars for the kids, I stumbled upon a unique way to read the book of Luke throughout December. With 24 chapters, mirroring the days until Christmas Eve, this unconventional countdown explores the profound narrative of Jesus’ life, from birth to resurrection.

While my regular women’s Bible study takes a hiatus for the holiday season, I’ve embarked on a daily independent study to keep the spirit of learning alive. Today, on day 8 of this December exploration, Chapter 8 of Luke captivated my attention, specifically verses 9-16.

The Parable of the Sower

8 After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 3 Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.

4 While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: 5 “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. 6 Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.”

When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”

9 His disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10 He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that,

“‘though seeing, they may not see;

    though hearing, they may not understand.’[a]

11 “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. 14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. 15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

A Lamp on a Stand

16 “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.

The Holy Bible, Luke 8:9-16, NIV

It is especially interesting to me that Jesus spoke in parables, not riddles. No limericks, haikus, sonnets, or odes to be found, either. Riddles, if you’ve ever seen Batman (“Riddle me this…”) or read The Hobbit, a riddle can take a minute to puzzle out for even the most “punny” among us, or conversely, cannot be solved at all.

“‘What do I have in my pocket?’ he [Bilbo] said aloud. He was talking to himself, but Gollum thought it was a riddle, and he was frightfully upset.”

The Hobbit, Chapter 5: Riddles in the Dark).

Parables, however, are understandable and relatable to a larger audience, which makes the Word of God not just accessible to a few “holy” or “appointed” people with power but to everyone. With the Parable of the Sower, even a child with a rudimentary understanding of how plants grow can infer what Jesus is saying. However, the disciples, despite their proximity to Jesus and His teachings, sought clarification. Their initial confusion doesn’t imply stupidity, however, but rather exemplifies their role as students of Jesus; and who are students generally? Children. Even as an adult, learning something new often requires adjusting our thinking, akin to approaching knowledge with the curiosity of a child.

Here’s another interesting thing I found about this passage: He gladly explained what He meant in no uncertain terms. In the parable, Jesus uses the metaphor of different types of soil to illustrate how people respond to the message of the Kingdom of God. The varied responses represent different attitudes and conditions of the human heart. He also never saw a question as stupid, even when the Pharisees annoyed Him by trying to trick Him into incriminating Himself – He always answered.

In the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ life in the New Testament, there is no specific instance where Jesus outright refused to respond to a posed question. However, there are occasions where His responses were indirect, conveyed through the use of parables, or involved challenging the assumptions of the questioner. While the intent of this was often to impart a broader lesson, there were instances—especially when dealing with individuals in positions of power—where Jesus employed a touch of humor and wit. This strategic approach to questioning those in authority is akin to what comedians refer to as “punching up,” showcasing that even in serious matters, a sense of humor can be a powerful tool. In these instances, it becomes evident that God, too, possesses a remarkable sense of humor.

You might think the inclusion of verse 16 on my part is a mistake because it’s a separate section from the Parable of the Sower but I think it was specifically put directly after The Sower for a reason by Jesus and it’s this: To emphasize the importance of sharing the insights gained.

“No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.”

Luke 8:16

This metaphor, often heard in the familiar tune of “This Little Light of Mine,” underscores the need to share the light of God’s Word with others. It echoes the inclusive nature of parables—they weren’t meant solely for the disciples but for everyone they encountered and those who would later read the Bible.

So, as we uncover gems in Scripture, let’s not hide them. Share them with everyone, for someone out there may find profound benefit in the light you share. In the spirit of the season, let the light of understanding brighten the path for others.