The Parable of the Sower is one that we have heard many times over. However, it is worth reflecting on it often, so that we can examine the condition of our own hearts. This parable talks about four kinds of soil on which the farmer had sown his seeds: the path, rocky places, among thorns and good soil. Jesus frequently used parables to impart messages, yet he would not explain their meaning. In this particular parable, however, Jesus explained it in detail so that we would not miss the point. This parable is significant, since it talks about the Word of God and the condition of our hearts. Unless we have the right heart, we will not be blessed as we ought. It must be understood that “the heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” (Jer. 17:9).
The first soil in this parable is the path, where the birds ate the seeds sown. Jesus explained this type of path, saying, “When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart” (Matt. 13:19). This speaks volumes when we consider how we treat the Word that we hear. If it is too hard for us to understand or to obey, do we just discard it, as if we heard nothing? Or do we spend time reflecting on it and receiving a message that will serve to guide and instruct us? If we ignore it, we have just allowed the devil to snatch it.
The second soil is the rocky places – “someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away” (Matt. 13:20-21). The problem with this person is that the Word of God was not deeply rooted in him. He was only a good starter, yet unwilling to sacrifice and endure until the end. He was only a fair-weather believer and was just after the good things in life.
The third soil is the one full of thorns – “someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful” (Matt. 13:22). These supposed believers are too engrossed in the world and are being deceived. They are focused on wealth, as if this life is just about riches. The world chokes up the Word and they don’t grow spiritually, though they all have the trimmings of a Christian. We often hear them justify their actions by saying that God looks at the heart. While it is true that God looks at the heart, Jesus gave us a way by which we can also look at the heart. He said, “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of” (Luke 6:45). Therefore, what we see or hear from people is a reflection of their heart.
The last soil is the fertile soil – “someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown” (Matt. 13:23). All believers ought to have a heart that is fertile for the Word, so that they will grow and bear fruit. They will be able to endure and overcome all the tests that they will face, because they are standing on the solid foundation of their faith, the Lord Jesus Christ. Indeed, our heart is deceitful and we can easily be deceived if our hearts are not fertile for the Word. Our tendency is to use other people as our mirror. We ask them to give us their feedback on how we are doing and seek their approval for everything. We would rather believe them than believe what the Bible is telling us. But if our heart is fertile, we soak in the Word and let the Word reveal our true selves. It is not what other people deem as “good,” but what the Lord says in His Word.
As far as the Lord is concerned, no heart is hopeless. He is willing to move within a hardened heart. He said, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws” (Eze. 36:26-27). Therefore, let us heed the Word of God and allow it to permeate our hearts and transform us from glory to glory. Let us be one of those who will respond positively to the Word of the Lord, though it may hurt. Let us be like the apostle Peter and the twelve disciples, who stood their ground and did not desert the Lord when many did. When asked if they, too, will leave, Peter responded, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). Hallelujah!
