“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it.”
— Matthew 13:23
This whole metaphor about the seeds was so complicated, even the disciples were confused. Read about it in Matthew 13:3 – 8, and maybe you’ll see why. Because Jesus wanted them — and you — to really get it, he told them what it meant in Matthew 13:18 – 23.
Some people, he said, hear the message of God’s love and forgiveness, but they don’t really take it in, so the first time they’re tempted to do something wrong, they forget all about God. That’s like the seed that falls on a path and gets trampled. Others take in the message with joy and go with it for a while, but then some big bad thing happens, and they turn away, because God “failed” them. That’s like the seed that falls among rocks. Still others hear it and talk about it and almost look like they get it, but they don’t really live it. Their faith gets choked out by worrying. That’s the seed that lands in the weeds.
But there are those people, Jesus said, who hear the message, understand it, and live it, so that they produce all kinds of good things for God. They’re like the seed that falls into good, well-prepared soil. Jesus said to get your soil ready. He wants your heart to be a good place for the message to grow.
More to Explore: Psalm 1:1 – 3
Girl Talk: What are you doing to make your life fertile soil for the Word of Jesus to take root?
God Talk: “Jesus, I want your Word to grow in my heart. Make my heart good soil, with no weeds or rocks. Amen.”
From That Is So Me by Nancy Rue