A quick word from my devotional reading this morning in Matthew 13:1-9, 18-22. This is the Parable of the Sower, the Seed, and the Soils.
A Parable is in one sense, an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. The people were not able to understand the straightforward teaching of Jesus because they were not saved and they were not open, so Jesus tried even harder to reach them with everyday things they might more easily understand.
In the Parable, the Sower is the same (Jesus). The Seed is the same (God’s Word). The only variable in the story is the Soil. The four places the seed landed is:
- The wayside
- The shallow stony ground
- Among weeds and thorns
- On good ground
To summarize briefly, these represent the different hearts God’s Word lands on. Some people have hearts that are not hungry or open at all, so the Seed doesn’t penetrate, they don’t understand, and the enemy comes and takes the Seed away. What a tragedy! Other are more open but shallow, and they get excited about the Lord and His Word when all is well, but the moment trials hit, they fade away because their faith has no depth. The third example is intriguing – it might even describe some Christians, who are saved, but have seasons of virtually no fruit – and why is that? Because their hearts are crowded and not exclusively devoted to Christ. We read in:
Matthew 13:22, “Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.”
But the fourth heart is the heart that I pray for (Psalm 51:10; Proverbs 4:23). It’s the heart that’s open. It’s good ground and soft soil. I pray this would be us friend. Open up that Bible with an open heart. Sit in that study eager to hear…always be sensitive – for the Spirit of God will take the Word of God and conform us into the image of God. God will do miracles in your life if you take this Seed seriously!
Love you, praying you have a blessed day and abundant life!