Matthew 13:3-9
‘And He told them many things in parables, saying, “Behold, the sower went out to sow; and as he sowed, some seeds fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate them up. Others fell on the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and they sprang up immediately, because they had no depth of soil. But after the sun rose, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. Others fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out. But others fell on the good soil and yielded a crop, some a hundred, some sixty, and some thirty times as much. The one who has ears, let him hear.”’
This passage tells us much about God’s Word and how it works. No other book does what the bible does. When the meaning of this concept sunk in I was intrigued with this passage. It’s still amazing. It illustrates Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
It’s living and active. When we hear it, it sinks in and God goes to work. It draws us to Him. This is a great force in the universe. That’s why we want it in our lives. We are to read it, meditate on it, hear it taught at church, share it with believers and unbelievers and so on.
Many don’t understand our emphasis on it. I’ve heard it said that “We worship a book”. No, we worship God and He tells us to do all I mentioned in His Word. Psalm 138:2 says, “I bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your loving devotion and Your faithfulness; You have exalted Your name and Your word above all else.” He values His Word highly, so should we.
Unfortunately there are things that work against His Word, the devil, shallow soil and the cares of the world. Matthew 13:19 has Jesus expounding on this,”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 the one sown with seed beside the road.” The devil hates God and anything He cares about. He can’t hurt God, so he wants to wreck us. He lives to lie, rob and deceive. He seeks to erase any good thing God tries to do in us.
Another problem is shallow soil. Matthew 13:20 says, “The one sown with seed on the rocky places, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution occurs because of the word, immediately he falls away.” That’s an interesting phrase “when affliction or persecution occurs because of the word”. I recall this happening to a friend. Someone shamed him because of the word. He backed way off. He may be a christian, but I haven’t seen evidence of it. The world and the devil are hostile to God’s Word. They will call it out. Depth of soil helps us endure this onslaught. It’s like a plant can endure heat better if their roots are secure in cool soil. What does it mean to have a firm root? To fear the Lord and to know that He is our hope. John 6:68 illustrates this attitude, ‘Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life.”‘
Another issue that creates a hostile environment for God’s Word is the cares of the world. Matthew 13:22 says, “And the one sown with seed among the thorns, this is the one who hears the word, and the anxiety of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.” This could simply be being too occupied. We don’t have time to reflect and apply. It also means worldly attitudes cause us to devalue it. Thinking on a bible verse would be the last thing some would do. An overemphasis on wealth can devalue it.
The last soil Jesus refers to is the healthy soil. That’s the attitude that’s open and ready to hear. God also has some part in that, as He works in our hearts to make us ready to hear. Any of these heart attitudes can be in the believer and the unbeliever. It’s like tending a garden. It’s purposeful. If we spend no time or effort our hearts won’t have that good soil.
If we do have an open and willing heart, God will do good stuff. If we know it or not He’s with us all day, everyday. He wants to connect with us and help us. Talk to Him, ask for guidance, thank Him.
Lord, may we have hearts that have good soil that are open to You.