My favorite parable is
the parable of the sower. It is recorded three times in Scripture in Matthew
13:1-23, Mark 4:1-20, and Luke 8:1-18. Since parables are picture stories of
common things known to the hearers, it is not surprising that as a landscaper
this one would speak to me.
Jesus explains the
parable to His close disciples after explaining to them why He does not explain
it to the multitudes that were crowding around Him. Matthew 13:13, “Therefore I
speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do
not hear, nor do they understand.” So I pray, “Lord, even though You explain it,
let me understand what You have for me in this parable.”
There are four
different conditions that the seed falls on: by the wayside, stony places,
among the thorns, and good ground. We desire our hearts to be the good soil to
be able to receive the seed, which is the Word of God’s kingdom.
Twice in the Old
Testament the Lord speaks to Israel and says break up your fallow (untilled) ground.
The first place is in Jeremiah 4:1-4. It basically says, “Prepare your heart to
hear what God is saying to you.” It also says to not sow among the thorns. The
second verse about the soil of our hearts is in Hosea 10:12-13. In this Scripture
it says we should keep preparing the soil of our hearts to receive the
seed/Word until He comes and rains righteousness on us.
It is clear from all
these Scriptures that the responsibility of having the soil of our hearts soft
and tilled and ready to receive what God has for us--is ours. He wants us to
develop a listening ear for His voice. The Lord will provide the water so the
seed will germinate. He rains His mercy, grace and righteousness upon us to cause
growth and a flourishing life.
How can I make sure
that my heart is good soil? How can I be sure that my heart is not hardened, or
overcome by the cares of the world, or full of thistles or stones? I believe it
is in openness to hear the voice of the Lord.
God has so much for
us. We need to expect to hear from Him. He desires us to be listening to
receive wisdom, fresh and new revelation, and insights from Him continually.
Just as in any relationship we develop more intimacy if we listen with open
hearts, waiting our turn to speak, for the Lord Jesus loves two way communications
with His beloved ones. Do you have ears to hear what God wants to say to you
right now?
This morning as I read
through the parable of the sower I saw many insights that might speak to people’s
hearts. However, God wants to simply speak this: BREAK UP THE FALLOW GROUND! PREPARE
THE SOIL OF YOUR HEARTS TO RECEIVE FROM ME. MY WORD IS SEED THAT WILL PRODUCE A
HUNDRED FOLD. WILL YOU LISTEN TO ME?
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