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Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers inc. Wheaton, Illinois 60189, all rights reserved.
SOWING SEED [Matthew 13:3-8]
A farmer went out to plant some seed. As he scattered it across his field, some fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them. Other seed fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The plants sprang up quickly, but they soon wilted beneath the hot sun and died because the roots had no nourishment in the shallow soil. Other seeds fell among thorns that shot up and choked out the tender blades. But some seeds fell on fertile soil and produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted.
In verses 18-23 of this chapter in Matthew, Jesus explains this parable for us. The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the Word but don’t take it in. It just remains on the surface, so the Evil One comes along and plucks it right out of that person’s heart. The seed that fell on shallow soil, represents those who hear and instantly responds with enthusiasm. But when the emotions wear off and some difficulty arrives, they are long gone. The seed that fell among thorns, represents those who hear the Word, but because of worry and worldly illusions, the Word is choked out. The seed that fell on good soil represent the person who hears and takes in the Word, and then bears a harvest beyond that persons wildest dreams.
May I say the gospel message cannot be reduced to a simple formula. Note…. the farmer sowed good seed, (i.e. the Word of God) but not all the seed sprouted, and even the plants that grew had varying yields. Child of God don’t be discourage if you do not always see results as you faithfully follow Him, witnessing by word and deed to His saving grace. Belief cannot be forced to follow a mathematical formula. Rather, it is a miracle of God’s Holy Spirit as He uses your life and words to lead others to Jesus. The four types of soil represent different responses to God’s message, don’t miss that. People respond differently because they are in different states of readiness. Some are hardened, others are shallow, others are contaminated by distracting worries, and some are receptive. God called us only to be faithful in our relationship with Him, to abide in Him. He gives the increase. Jesus said you can do nothing without me. You think about that.
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