5
Some fell in the gravel; it sprouted quickly but didn't put down roots,
6
so when the sun came up it withered just as quickly.
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Some fell in the weeds; as it came up, it was strangled among the weeds and nothing came of it.
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Some fell on good earth and came up with a flourish, producing a harvest exceeding his wildest dreams.
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"Are you listening to this? Really listening?"
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When they were off by themselves, those who were close to him, along with the Twelve, asked about the stories.
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He told them, "You've been given insight into God's kingdom - you know how it works. But to those who can't see it yet, everything comes in stories, creating readiness, nudging them toward receptive insight.
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These are people - Whose eyes are open but don't see a thing, Whose ears are open but don't understand a word, Who avoid making an about-face and getting forgiven."
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He continued, "Do you see how this story works? All my stories work this way.
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"The farmer plants the Word.
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Some people are like the seed that falls on the hardened soil of the road. No sooner do they hear the Word than Satan snatches away what has been planted in them.