In Matthew 13 we find that as Jesus sat down by the sea a lot of people gathered to Him. So much so that He instead went and sat in a boat while all the people remained on the shore. Then “He told them many things in parables, saying: ‘A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear'”(13:3-9).
Later Jesus would explain the parable to His disciples and say: “Hear then the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty”(Matthew 13:18-23).
The lesson for us today is the same that it was for them: What kind of heart do I have? As Jesus explained in Luke 8, the soil represents our hearts. The seed represents the Word of God. And each result represents the influence God’s Word either has on us or doesn’t have on us. It is up to us to see which one applies to us.
Are you the wayside soil that would not receive the Word of God at all? Are you the rocky soil that received the Word of God at first with joy but then when things get tough you quit? Are you the soil among thorns who believes in God and His Word but the cares of this world and money are more important to you and you do not have the relationship with God that you should? Or are you the good soil that has let the Word of Christ dwell in your heart and are producing the fruits of righteousness in your life?
This is what we must all ask ourselves every day. What kind of heart do I have? Am I obeying the Word of God? Am I living for God the way He wants me to? Let’s all strive to have a good heart that hungers and thirsts for righteousness, is zealous for good works, and is passionate about our God!
A Cord of Blue 