Do you hear what I hear?
Noel Regney was born in France in 1920. He studied music in conservatories in both Paris, France and Strasbourg, Germany. Though being French, he was drafted into the Nazi army during WWII. He did not like the what the party stood for and secretly worked as a part of the French resistance. He would provide valuable information to the resistance fighters. In one particularly difficult situation, he was called to lead a some German soldiers into a trap that was set by the resistance. During that encounter, he ended up wounded by the French, some think intentionally, in order to cover up any suspicion that he had knowledge of the attack. Eventually he defected back to France and lived in seclusion until the end of the war. The time in the war would weigh heavy on him for years.
In the early 50s he moved to Manhattan and began to write music for a variety of artists, putting his conservatory training to good use.
In the fall of 1962, the Soviet Union and the United States were on the brink of another war in a conflict known as the Cuban Missile Crisis. The dread of nuclear war brought back bitter memories for Regney - especially as Christmas was on the horizon. The peace that the season promised was overshadowed by the sense of dread and doom that he felt.
As he walked through New York city one day, he noticed some moms strolling through town with their children. The joy on the children’s faces immediately changed his mood and filled his mind with poetry.
He went home and began to pen the lyrics to the famous song “Do you hear what I hear?”. He and his wife collaborated together to put music to the lyrics.
Though it has become known as a famous Christmas song, it was initially intended as a B side song of an album as a plea for peace in the face of the war. He seemed to be inviting people to hear the joys of peace in the present moment. Later that fall the song was recorded by the Harry Simeon Chorale. While hundreds of other artists have recorded this plea for peace, Bing Crosby’s rendition is likely the most well known.
Who would hear this plea? Frankly millions have. How would they respond? While the missile crisis of 1962 eventually ended, it’s not likely that this song was the catalyst, though their intentions were good.
The question is, when we hear the good news, how will we respond? Regney’s call to peace is as appropriate today as it was then. The Gospel’s call to peace - even more so!
Hearing is useless without some sort of a response, and that’s what the passage we’re considering today is all about.
Open your bibles to Luke 8. As we read earlier, we’ll begin in verse 5.
Last week, we found Jesus in the home of a Pharisee where he forgave a sinful woman. He then continued to travel around and teach - gathering crowds of men and women. As they moved closer to listen, Jesus told them a parable.
Luke 8:5–8 ESV
“A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it. And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold.” As he said these things, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
Through his teaching with parables or mini- stories Jesus teaches in a way that allows a whole variety of people to listen and learn at different levels.
This topic of hearing is a theme that gets repeated throughout Luke’s gospel and is concentrated in this chapter. In this parable, Jesus is bringing up the topic hearing as he both shares the parable and explains it. What we learn is that hearing does several things.
First of all,
Hearing presents an opportunity (4-15)
Whenever we hear something, we have an opportunity to do something with that information. We have an opportunity to respond.
So in Jesus’ parable, the sower is liberally sowing the seed of the word of God. Spreading it far and wide.
Before we dive into the soils, I do think it’s important to reflect on “the word of God.” What is that? What does it entail?
The written word - the bible that you have in your hand is the inspired word of God. Sometimes this is referred to as “Special Revelation” - the specific things that God has revealed about himself and his work in the world, his promises about the future. From cover to cover, this is the seed, the word of God.
The un-written word - or often referred to as “General Revelation.” These are the things that are generally known about God and his ways in the universe and in creation.
Romans 1:19 ESV
For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.
This would not only include the observable things in creation, but it would also include the general principles of right and wrong that are known throughout the world. C.S. Lewis notes that the commonality of certain moral laws around the world argue for the existence of God and the presence of his law/word (Mere Christianity). Honesty is right, murder is wrong, theft is wrong, generosity is good. We could go on but generally every society has these basic moral values.
As the seed of the word of God goes out, it lands on different types of soil, which represents four different ways that people receive or respond to the word of God.
The first, the seed is…
Sown, but taken
Jesus describes the seed that falls on the path as seed that is trampled under foot and ultimately taken by the birds. As Jesus provides an interpretation for this kind of seed, he notes:
Luke 8:11–12 ESV
Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.
I think the reality of this kind of soul is that they have become so hardened to the things of God that they refuse to believe. The apostle Paul noted regarding people who refuse to believe…
2 Corinthians 4:4 ESV
In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
The second kind of soil or soul is one where the seed is…
Sown but not cultivated
To this one, Jesus says:
Luke 8:13 ESV
And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away.
I think these are people who may show evidence of saving faith, but at some point in time, fall away. Whether it’s through trials, or suffering or peer pressure. It may be that they liked what they heard in the Gospel and the Word of God, but then lacked the investment in the word to have a genuine saving faith.
The third kind of soil is essentially a soul where the seed is…
Sown, received, but choked
Luke 8:14 ESV
And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.
Is this kind a genuine believer? Maybe. Truly only God knows. It seems like they do bear some fruit, but then that fruit is choked out by the distractions of this life. Whether it’s worries of life, materialism, or the sinful pleasures of life cause the person’s life to be compromised.
I think this is an area where we all need to pause for a moment and take an assessment. We can all be tempted into allowing weeds to come into our lives. Weeds of worry, wealth/riches, or pleasures. But what are they? It seems that in any of these, we allow focus or primary concerns over these matters to take precedent over our trust in God. Some of these things can be well meaning. For example…
Worries
family - how we will provide, or protect, or how they will turn out…
friends - their jobs, or plight, or whether we will have friends or the right friends…
jobs - for some in our culture this is a tremendously big temptation, whether we will have a job, stress over the conditions in the workplace -
health
politics
getting caught up in worrying about things in this life can cause us to doubt the goodness and the sovereignty of God.
A bit later on in this gospel, Luke writes:
Luke 12:22–25 ESV
And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
Riches
working to get more things
relying too much on material possessions or wealth, not trusting God.
fretting over the stock market
Making poor financial decisions to get ahead
Pleasures
addictions of any kind -
pornography - we may be tempted to think that this is only a private sin - but pornography normalizes the immoral. It causes us to objectify people. The images that we put into our minds often don’t leave.
illicit relationships (hookups, sex outside of marriage, texting/sexting encounters) - our society famously says that if it feels good we should do it or as long as it’s consensual then it’s ok - but that’s not biblical.
Ephesians 5:3 ESV
But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.
When we as followers of Christ allow these weeds of worry, riches and pleasures into our lives then we risk choking out the fruit that God intends to bear through us. There may even be risks of us destroying other people’s lives.
The final soul or soil that Jesus discusses is where the seed is…
Sown, received, bearing fruit
All of the seed that is sown seems like a waste - at least until it gets to this soil. Here, the soil is so rich, fertile, and ready for the seed that it produces fruit 100x what was sown.
Luke 8:15 ESV
As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.
Maybe this fruit will be seen in the lives of people that we invest in. Maybe this fruit will be in people that we get to lead to Christ. It may be in our children and their children and their children and so on. Maybe this fruit is simply seen in a delight in God and a life lived in joyful devotion to him.
From the sowing stand-point, I think it’s important for us to notice that the common thread among this is that the seed is sown, it’s spread around liberally. The sower doesn’t judge who is worthy to receive the seed and who is not. The sower can’t necessarily see the depth of this soil. Who knows, maybe a bird that snatches the seed from the path will drop it onto fertile ground elsewhere.
Which brings us to the next point that Jesus seems to be addressing…
Hearing produces responsibility (16-18)
Jesus continues his teaching, stating…
Luke 8:16–18 ESV
“No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light. Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.”
We can’t control the soil, we are simply urged to sow in the same indiscriminate way that the sower cast the seed.
We must make the most of what God has given us. If we have received salvation through Jesus Christ, we have an obligation to share that with others, whether or not they receive it. As Paul writes in Romans…
Romans 10:14–15 ESV
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
Does this mean we all have to be bold evangelists like Billy Graham? No, I don’t think so. But I also don’t think we should shy away from letting people know that we are followers of Christ. People should know that we are believers.
It’s been interesting playing pickleball a bit. People know that I’m a pastor. Some people will change their language when I’m on the court - frankly, while I don’t like foul language and don’t feel that salty language is really edifying in our culture at large, their language doesn’t bother me. Some people will make side comments like they are doomed to hell because they refuse to believe. Others will want to engage in conversation. Now, in my role as pastor, there are elements of this that can both help and hinder my ability to sow seeds. In some ways, people expect it, even if I don’t say much. Other’s harden up because they assume that I will preach at them - that is until they get to know me.
But I do think for all of us that we should let the things of God, the word of God, be on our mind and in our language. If there is something that comes up in conversation that relates to something we read in scripture, then I think we should let people know. If there is a special event happening here or even just a regular activity, I think it’s okay to invite someone. Ask servers how you can pray for them when you go out to eat. Tell co-workers that you’re praying for them. Talk to bankers about the ministry that you’re supporting. Invite a neighbor, or friend, or coworker for a meal - pray over it. Let the things of God be on our lips. We have been entrusted with this. We have a responsibility to make the most of what we’ve been given.
So, as we considered the soils, we noticed that hearing presents an opportunity for us and others to respond. Once we’ve heard, we have a responsibility to share what we’ve heard with others. We would not want the great news of the gospel to be kept for ourselves. Finally, we get to understand a promise that…
Hearing and doing result in eternal family (19-21)
In the midst of this time of teaching, Luke records…
Luke 8:19–21 ESV
Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you.” But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”
Now, I don’t think that Jesus is trying to be dismissive or dishonoring to his family. I do think he is elevating the connection between what we hear and what we do. In fact, through Jesus ministry and Luke’s gospel in general, the connection between hearing and doing are frequent topics.
In chapter 6, when Jesus was preaching the sermon on the plain - he brought attention to those who were listening, or those who would hear him stating…
Luke 6:27–28 ESV
“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.
Then at the conclusion of his sermon, he told his listeners, and by extension, us…
Luke 6:47–49 ESV
Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”
Jesus wasn’t simply trying to garner fame and fanatics, he was working to bring people to himself as faithful followers.
Even in our day, we like to listen to a lot of things - music, news, speeches, audio books…. For much of that, hearing doesn’t make a difference in our doing. But when we hear or read from the word of God, we have an opportunity to do something with it. Is there a sin to repent? Is there an attitude to change? Is there a behavior to adjust? Is there a way of thinking that needs to be realigned? Is there an action to take?
I think one of the things that Jesus is stating here is that those who hear his words and do something with them are so close to him, that they are like family, they are family.
I think it’s appropriate that we consider this on Mother’s Day. While all of us have had mothers at some point and some of you women have become mothers because you’ve had children, thoughts and memories of mothers and motherhood can be quite complicated and even frustrating or discouraging. But when we hear the word of God, the Gospel, and respond in faith and in actions, we are part of Jesus’ family. We have a place with Him for eternity.
Closing thoughts
How is the soil of your soul? Are you hearing and letting the word sink it? Are you letting it make a difference in your life? Are you producing fruit?
Is the soil of your soul filled with weeds of distraction, worry? Let me encourage you to reach out to someone - ask for help. Invite someone in the family of God to share your concerns, to help you with the weeding. Pray that the holy spirit would bring to your mind things that need to be repented of.
Are you hearing for the first time? Listen and know that God loves you. Jesus loves you. He sees you for who you are and has shared with you his word. What’s more, he has presented you an offer of forgiveness from all of your past mistakes and failures and all of your future ones as well. Come to him. Hear his call. Respond with repentance and forgiveness. Engage with his word and his people.
We began by considering a bit of the background to the song “Do you hear what I hear?”.
The closing verse to the song states:
Said the king to the people everywhere
Listen to what I say! (Listen to what I say!)
Pray for peace, people, everywhere
Listen to what I say! (Listen to what I say!)
The Child, the Child sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light
He will bring us goodness and light
I’m not sure that Regney fully grasped the meaning of the words that he penned. He may have been thinking of the child in the stroller. He may have been thinking of the first child of Christmas - the one Child who would bring true goodness and light. The King of kings is calling us to hear the message of this Child, this Messiah, this Savior, this Jesus and respond. He offers true goodness and eternal light.
Let’s pray.
Benediction:
Numbers 6:24–26 ESV
The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
Questions for reflection and discussion:
Read: Luke 8:4-21
1. What are some things that distinguish one kind of plant from another?
2. What happened to each group of seeds? (8:5–8)
3. How did Jesus conclude His parable? (8:8)
4. What did the seed represent? (8:11)
5. What was the seed on the path like? (8:12)
6. Why couldn’t those who received the Word with joy stay faithful? (8:13)
7. What choked those who were represented by the seed among the thorns? (8:14)
8. How did the seed scattered on good soil fare? (8:15)
9. What obstacles have prevented acquaintances of yours from receiving the Word?
10. What kind of soil do you most resemble right now?
11. Which of life’s worries has choked your growth as a Christian recently?
12. With whom can you share the truth about what Jesus means to you, that your faith may bear fruit?
Sources:
Anyabwile, Thabiti. Exalting Jesus in Luke. Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2018.
Beeke, Joel R., and Paul M. Smalley. Reformed Systematic Theology: Man and Christ. Vol. 2. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2020.
Bock, Darrell L. Luke 1:1-9:50. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1999.
Martin, John A. “Luke.” In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, edited by J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.
McKinley, Mike. Luke 1–12 for You. Edited by Carl Laferton. God’s Word for You. The Good Book Company, 2016.
Wilcock, Michael. The Savior of the World: The Message of Luke’s Gospel. The Bible Speaks Today. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1979.
https://www.franciscanmedia.org/st-anthony-messenger/december-2017/do-you-hear-what-i-hear-the-story-behind-the-song/
