13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
Matthew 13:1-9
18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
Matthew 13:18-23
I remember hearing this parable once again when I was in my early 30s. I was back in church full-time and was attending a small group of amazing and patient Christians who searched God’s word for His will in our lives. I was interested in God, but I knew I wasn’t a Christian, someone who believed in Christ and followed Him. I knew the people around me had something I didn’t. The peace that passes all understanding, life, purpose, something.
When I heard this parable that I had heard many times before I longed to be good soil. All of a sudden, I was so scared that this thing (the kingdom) in me that was starting to grow was temporary. That against my will I would lose hold of whatever it was that was happening. I didn’t want my new hope that there was a Creator who loved me to wither in the sun, get choked out by thorns, or have the enemy steal the words that God was putting in my heart. I wanted to be good soil but knew I couldn’t make this soil myself. I felt powerless.
So, I prayed, “God make me good soil, I don’t know how to do this but I definitely don’t want to go back to what I was. I want to change.”
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
Matthew 7:7-11
He answered my prayer! He softened my heart and opened my eyes and ears. He took things out of my heart and put things in. The gospel finally fell on good soil and sprang up so fast that it was shocking to me and those around me. Once I decided to make Jesus the Lord of my life things changed quickly. I couldn’t keep quiet about it but still, I worried, would it keep growing? I prayed again and He answered again. It wasn’t long before I realized that I would never be able to walk away.
I didn’t mean I would be perfect, or that I would always read my Bible and worship well, obey immediately, and somehow sidestep pride forever but it meant that the gospel and the Kingdom of God would keep growing and producing. There would be a harvest to share. God has to keep amending my soil and softening my heart so that I will keep growing.
Now when I share the gospel with others I think about their soil and what might happen to the seeds I scatter. They are good seeds, designed and made by the Creator of all seeds, who tends them well, but I can’t control the soil they fall on. I have seen all types.
Sometimes I can tell my words are falling on a hard-packed path. There is no understanding and oftentimes irritation. The parable shows us that Satan is all too happy to snatch these seeds away. A simple, “Jesus loves you,” causes anger, irritation, or something like pity.
Some people hear the gospel and get excited! They have one night in Bible study, church, or a worship concert and God moves powerfully, but before you know it the effect is gone. A friend makes fun of them or they find out that God has a will they don’t agree with and the cost is too high.
The third, with the thorns that choke out the new little plant, breaks my heart. They believe, they start to grow, but there is no crop because everything else is louder. There are hardships, wants, and so much that stifles the amazing work of God.
I pray for good soil. God did it for me and He can and will do it for them. I ask Him to make those I’m speaking to fertile ground so that His Kingdom will produce so much in them. I was once bad soil and I am so glad the Holy Spirit inspired me to pray for better.
God, change me. Soften my heart to your Word and make me good soil so that your kingdom will grow and I will never fall away from you. I want to produce an abundance for You. More than ever!
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