"Hear ye the parable of the sower.
When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
But he that received the seed in stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh fruitful.
But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."
What condition is the soil of your heart today?
Is it like the hard soil of the Palestinian dirt-paths, a heart that hears but does not truly understand; a heart trampled by the cynicism of the world? "Break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord." (Hosea 10:12)
Or is it shallow like the thin soil over hard rock? The believer experiences an emotional response; The seed grows but its roots never go deep enough, and just as the sun can help the plant to draw water and nourishment from the soil, it can also test the believer's faith with the scorching heat of persecution. How strong is your faith lately?
Or perhaps it is a soil crowded with weeds, distractions and material desires? Some of the people in Jesus' time were too busy thinking about food, taxes, etc. What have you been allowing to crowd God out of your life today?
Or is it like the fertile soil, the heart that understands the Word (unlike the hard heart), receives the Word (unlike the shallow heart) and holds fast to it (unlike the crowded heart)?
The woman at the well; at first her heart was hard, for she felt that "the Jews have no dealings with Samaritans". Then her hard heart became a shallow heart, Christ offered her living water, but she replied, "Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw" (John 4:15). It was an emotional response with no depth. Some of us might have then seized the opportunity to then pray with her and share about the real Living water. But Jesus was patient, and he knew her heart was still crowded with other things, and immediately began to pull the weeds out, "Go, call thy husband!" Finally, the good seed planted years ago began to grow, "I know that Messiah is coming... when that One comes, He will declare all things to us" (John 4:25). Jesus then revealed who He was, she believed, and immediately began to bear fruit.
What condition is the soil of your heart today?
What fruit has come from your life recently?
Are you sowing the Word patiently, with discernment and wisdom?
Are you helping others bear fruit?
=)
Bibliography:
Wiersbe, Warren. Meet Yourself in the Parables. SP Publications, 1979.
Let's continue to be certain our soil is plowed up, free from weeds, and ready to receive God's Word =)
On another note, here's an interesting video...
An interesting, and perhaps rather insightful warning. Tell me what you guys think ^^
Have a blessed week ahead,
Pet
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