The Parable of the Sower (also known as the Parable of the Four Soils) is found in Matthew 13:3-9, Mark 4:2-9, and Luke 8:4-8.
After presenting this parable to the multitude, Jesus interprets it for His disciples in Matthew 13:18-23, Mark 4:13-20, and Luke 8:11-15.
Let's read Luke 8:5-9
"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 seeds fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.
Still, other seeds fell on good soil, producing a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear."
Jesus’ explanation of the Parable of the Sower highlights four different responses to the gospel. The seed is “the word of the kingdom.”
Notice, all four types of soil are essentially the same dirt but are in different conditions and respond in different ways to cultivation.
THE FIRST SOIL
The condition of the first soil is complex and impenetrable. The hard ground represents someone hardened by sin; he hears but does not understand the Word, and Satan plucks the message away, keeping the heart dull and preventing the Word from making an impression.
Then Jesus explains that the first soil is 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.
THE SECOND SOIL
The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, his so-called faith quickly disappears.
THE THIRD SOIL
The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the heart is full of riches, pleasures, and lusts; the things of this world take his time and attention away from the Word. The worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful and inconsistent.
THE FOURTH SOIL
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. The man represented by the “good soil” is the only one of the four who is genuinely newly saved because salvation’s proof is fruit (Matthew 3:7-8; 7:15-20).
Think about this; soon, we will enter and celebrate the New Year of 2022. As we are waiting, it is time for us to reflect. Ask yourself, what kind of soil am I ? 1,2,3 or 4?
My friend, If you are soil #4, well done; continue walking on the right path by producing good fruits pleasing to God.
But If you are 1, 2 or 3, it is time to make an official decision and act upon that determination. First, confess your sins to God, practice new habits that will approach you each day to the throne of God, meditate on His Word so that you know your father's will is for you, and finally, put His word into practice so that you may bear good fruits and multiply to " a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown"
Think of this, a man’s reception of God’s Word is determined by the condition of his heart, and Salvation is more than a superficial, albeit joyful, hearing of the gospel. Someone who is genuinely saved will go on to prove it.
May our faith and lives exemplify the "good soil" in the Parable of the Sower.
Shalom
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