Matthew 13:3-9 “And he spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow; And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. Some fell among the thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop, some a hundred fold, some sixty and some thirty.
My dad always planted a huge garden, one acre to be precise. He planted corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, green beans, potatoes, peas, squash, cantaloupe and watermelons. Oh my goodness; it was a lot of work.
Carol Setzer was a house builder. He would leave about 6:00 a.m. in the morning and come home about 4:30 in the afternoon. In the spring, summer and early fall; after eating an early dinner; he would head out to his garden to hoe, weed, plow, fertilize or gather his harvest, depending upon the time of the season.
As my sister and I got old enough to plant, hoe, fertilize or weed; Dad would carefully instruct and supervise our work; because he wanted those specific tasks to be done right.
Sometimes; we would throw the seed too widely and it would land on the rocky outer soil. Dad’s eyes were watching; so he would tell us to keep the seed in it’s prepared place. He had hoed in a small ditch prepared specifically for each seed. It had been de-rocked, plowed, weeded, and fertilized. In order for the crop to come, the seed had to land on the “good soil.”
It matters where the seed falls.
God sends the rain and brings the sun that yields the plant growth, as well as the fruit.
We as Christians are responsible to throw out the seed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Only Jesus knows the hearts that are prepared to hear and receive the truth of His message. He alone knows the condition of the soil of someone’s heart. Share the truth with those who have ears to hear.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for preparing the soil of the hearts of those who need to hear the gospel. May I be faithful to throw out the seeds with which you have entrusted me. I pray for good soil and much fruit to remain. In Jesus Name I offer up this prayer. Amen
