From Seed to Fruit: The Growth Process – The Soil
Let’s take a look at the soil. Jesus illustrates the importance of the soil in ‘the parable of the sower’ in Matthew 13:3-8. He then further explains this parable to His disciples in Matthew 13:19-23. It is very clear that it is the responsibility of the receiver of the seed to cause it to grow and produce. We will explore the different types of soil (and the corresponding states of our hearts when the seed is received) in the next posts. First, let’s look at the scriptures. Matthew 13:3-8 (Amplified) says:
“… a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell by the roadside, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they had not much soil; and at once they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched, and because they had no root, they dried up and withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them out. Other seeds fell on good soil, and yielded grain – some a hundred times as much as was sown, some sixty times as much, and some thirty.”
After Jesus taught this parable, His disciples questioned Him as to why He spoke to the people in parables. He then retold the same parable, explaining it in spiritual terms for the disciples. Matthew 13:19-23 (Amplified) says:
“While anyone is hearing the Word of the kingdom and does not grasp and comprehend it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the roadside. As for what was sown on thin (rocky) soil, this is he who hears the Word and at once welcomes and accepts it with joy; yet it has no real root in him, but is temporary (inconstant, lasts but a little while); and when affliction or trouble or persecution comes on account of the Word, at once he is caused to stumble [he is repelled and begins to distrust and desert Him Whom he ought to trust and obey] and he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is he who hears the Word, but the cares of the world and the pleasure and delight and glamour and deceitfulness of riches choke and suffocate the Word, and it yields no fruit. As for what was sown on good soil, this is he who hears the Word and grasps and comprehends it; he indeed bears fruit and yields in one case a hundred times as much as was sown, in another sixty times as much, and in another thirty.”
In the first soil, there had been no preparation made; no cultivating or softening of the heart to receive the Word of God with understanding. When we are unable to understand the Word of God, we cannot hold onto it and protect it. It is easy for Satan to steal it away when it cannot be planted.
In the second soil, when the seed is given, it is received with great joy; but, there is no depth of understanding to support the growth, so it cannot flourish. It is difficult to stand in the face of adversity if you cannot understand the Word that you have heard. It becomes easy for others to “talk you out of it,” or for peer pressure against it to cause you to fall away from it. The Word is not something you can hear once and leave it. Colossians 2:6-7 (The Message) says, “My counsel for you is simple and straightforward: Just go ahead with what you’ve been given. You received Christ Jesus, the Master, now live Him.” We must learn more about Jesus to “live” Him.
It is imperative that we study and learn God’s Word, so that we can grow in faith and strength. It is only by spending time in God’s Word that we can become firmly rooted and grounded in its truths. Romans 10:11 (Amplified) says, “So faith comes by hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by preaching [of the message that came from the lips] of Christ (the Messiah Himself).” We cannot hear it just once. Our faith (and our fruit) grows when we hear it again and again.
In the third soil, the seed falls among thorns, which Jesus explains are the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches. The seed becomes choked and unfruitful. Too much energy and vital resources are spent on things other than learning and living God’s Word. These people are those who have some understanding of the Word, but don’t make a place for it in their lives. Their priorities are trying to climb the wrong ladders in their lives. These are the folks with dusty old Bibles on display whose lives don’t reflect what that book says.
In the fourth soil, the receiver of the seed hears and understands the Word. This believer bears fruit. This is the person who has properly prepared the soil of his heart to receive the seed of God’s Word. This person nurtures and cultivates the seed, causing it to develop and produce in his life. This believer is firmly rooted and grounded, as God desires. Jeremiah 17:7-8 (The Message) says, “Blessed is the man who trusts me, God, and the woman who sticks with God. They’re like trees replanted in Eden, putting down roots near the rivers – never a worry through the hottest of summers, never dropping a leaf, serene and calm through droughts, bearing fresh fruit every season.” THAT’s the kind of tree I want to be!