But what Jesus says about it may surprise you.

I’ve seen it – and maybe you have to. Someone presents the good news of Jesus to an unbeliever. The way they do so is solid, well-reasoned, logical, delievered in love, and winsome. The beauty of the gospel is on display. They had listened respectfully. The opportunity to respond is at hand. And they shake their head and walk away.

Why do they refuse to believe?

Jesus explains why. In the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13, a sower goes out and sows the seed. Some seed falls on the path and the birds snatch it up. They can do that because the path is hard, compacted soil. The seed can’t get in. Easy food for the birds. There’s more to the parable, but I’ll pause there for now.

At this point, Jesus takes his disciples aside and explains the parable to them. The seed, he explains, is the word of God’s kingdom. When someone sees or hears about God’s Kingdom and they can’t understand it, or can’t pull it together, the evil one takes it away. God’s word, God’s Kingdom, can’t get into their hearts.The parable remains a mystery to the general population. But he explains to his disciples that there are two things going on. 1) The person who hears the word can’t accept it because he has a heart issue. And 2) The evil one goes to work.

Here’s an insight for disciples. Both issues – the heart of another person and work the evil one – are beyond our control. It was beyond the control of the first disciples and is beyond your control and beyond mine. They couldn’t – and we can’t – fix it.

But what can we do?

1) Recognize it’s a spiritual battle. Do you know how to fight spiritual battles? It’s prayer. Anyone can pray – but if you want to learn how to fight a spiritual battle, get some practice in prayer. I always got better at sports or studies or skills at work when I practiced with others. If I wanted to get better at speaking French, I’d find someone to speak French with. I might be awful at first but I get better fast. Find some people who are will to pray and pray with them.

2) Recognize that a lot goes on in a heart. When someone won’t hear God’s word, very often something has happened that has made their heart – like the soil – hard. Three immediately come to mind. 1 – Wounds. Family wounds from abuse or neglect. Wounds inflicted by other Christians. Wounds from the church. 2 – Willful sin. Somebody just don’t want God to be God. You know, instead of Thy Will Be Done – it’s My will be done. And the last one is, well, God himself. Some people have a hard time with this idea. But God hardened Pharoah’s heart in Exodus for the very purposes God had in mind. It’s tough to think God might do that in the heart of someone we love – but here’s some comfort. God’s timing is perfect. And God’s purpose is for all people to come to know him. And he loves that person more – and better – than we do. All three of these are addressed by loving someone and by prayer.

So to wrap up – your job and mine when God puts a hardened heart in our path is to pray for them and to live joyfully, openly, and honestly as a Christian friend to them whether they are paying attention or not.