Seeds and Soils

“Then [Jesus] told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.  Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. He who has ears, let him hear.” (Matthew 13:3-9, NIV) Clearly the business of the farmer is to do what it takes for his seed to multiply for a rich and full harvest. While the ideal situation is that the seed he scatters is in the best situation for it to take root, to grow into healthy plants, and to produce an abundant and multiplied result for food as well as seed for the following seasons.

We hear from time to time about this passage, the so-called parable of the Sower. From the following verses, perhaps it would be more accurate to call it the parable of the soils. That is, after all, what it is really about. “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path.” (Matthew 13:18-19, NIV) Hearing without understanding is a problem common to the human experience. This whole passage is concerned with how people respond to the gospel message. In clarifying the meaning of seed falling along the path, Jesus points out that when it is snatched up, it represents the evil one’s predilection for stealing the gospel from our hearts when understanding fails to absorb the message. The result is that it is easily stolen.

“The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.” (Matthew 13:20-21, NIV) Initial joy at receiving the message of salvation is not sufficient to survive challenges that are sure to follow. A plant’s root system not only provides nutrients from the soil, it also lends stability. Without roots, the new believer will be easily overcome by life’s difficulties.

“The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.” (Matthew 13:22, NIV) The third soil situation involves the choking influence of worrying about everything life brings our way. The false assumption that wealth is all that is needed to address life’s difficulties can bring everything to a standstill, rending our efforts unproductive.

“But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13: 23, NIV) The best kind of soil is rich with understanding of the salvation offered by Christ, enabling one to reproduce that salvation by sharing it with others. That is Jesus’ desire for every Christian.