Desire to be the good soil
JESUS used parables to teach us life lessons. We learnt in primary school that parables are earthly stories with heavenly meanings.
How many of us have actually taken up the Bible and read a parable? How many of us understand them? The Bible is a guide to help us trod this treacherous path and so we must make it our duty to read it.
This week brings us to Matthew 13:3-8 (GNB) where we learn about ‘The Parable of the Sower’. Jesus began by saying that there was a man who went out to plant corn in his field. As he scattered the seeds, some fell on the way side and the bird came and ate it up. Some also fell on rocky ground, where there was not enough soil and so the seeds sprouted. However, when the sun came up and burnt the young plants, they quickly dried up, as the roots had not grown deep enough.
Additionally, some of the seeds fell among thorns, which later grew and choked the plants. However, some fell in good soil and produced corn of varying numbers. Jesus concluded by saying, “Listen, then, if you have ears!”.
This parable conveniently covers everyone as we are all grouped. The group we fall in, though, is a choice we willingly make. The wayside seeds represent those who hear the message but fail to understand it. By doing this, they present themselves vulnerable to the devil who comes and snatches the little knowledge they have. The seeds that found their home in the rocky ground are those persons who when they hear the message, they readily soak it up.
However, nothing really sinks in and when persecutions, troubles and trials hit them, they give up just as quickly.
The seeds that fell among the thorns are those who hear the message, but are choked by life’s worries and love for money. Consequently, they don’t bear fruit. The last set of seeds that fell among the good soil represents those individuals who hear the message, and understand it. As a reward, they bear fruits.
Fruits are simply those defined in Galatians 5:22-23 (GNB). They are “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self-control”. Not many of us have them and so we find ourselves begging God for them. Have you ever been in a situation where you were desperate for just a little ounce of patience to deal with someone? What about asking God for some peace of mind or a little joy in your soul? Have you ever wondered why it is that you lack some of these gifts?
The answer is that, sadly, you may be in the wrong group. Try to not be on the wayside, on rocky grounds, or among the thorns. Make a decision that you are going to fix up your heart so it is receptive to God’s word. Don’t scoff when someone says a miracle has happened.
When you read your Bible, ask God for understanding so that you aren’t just merely skimming over words. When some situations reduce you to tears and you can’t do it on your own, go to someone for help. Don’t just give up.
If you are already in the good soil, you must know that rejoicing doesn’t come just yet. Help someone get to the point where you are. Or your living might just be in vain.