Parable of the Sower

Part Two

Matthew 13:18 "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 his heart. This is the seed sown along the path.

20 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. 21 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.

22 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.

23 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."

Some places in the world are very rocky places. It is difficult to win people to Christ. We work hard, preach well, hand out Bibles but there is little response and the ones who do respond do not seem to last and grow.

Russia is currently rocky, shallow soil. Its violent, oppressive history with atheistic rulers makes faith and follow-through a real challenge.

Others places, however, seem to be so fertile that no matter what we do people respond and the churches are growing like wildfire. Huge crops are produced and the people grow and pass the word on to others.

Asia and Africa as well as South America are seemingly good soil. Millions are coming to faith in Christ every year. They are the center of Christianity in the world.

Jesus says that there are several reasons.

1. The devil steals the word from those who are so hardened that it cannot penetrate into their hearts. It lays on top and can easily be taken away by evil forces.

2. Some seeds penetrate the soil and a new plant/baby is produced. Unfortunately, there is little soil in which to grow and the plant soon withers and dies. (Infanticide)

3. Others hear, respond and begin to grow but become anxious, interested in worldly things and get distracted so they produce little fruit.

4. The seed that falls on deep, rich soil grows and a huge crop is produced.

Is there nothing we can do to fertilize the first three types of soil? Are they hopelessly lost in shallowness and rocks? Are the people hopelessly anxious and caught up in money?

I do not think so. I believe there is hope for change and producing better crops but we need to also wisely seek the better soil. When we see good crops growing continue to sow more good seeds and follow up with training.