Good Soil

A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they have no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop - a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. He who has ears, let him hear.

Matthew 13:3-9

Good teachers don't just deliver good lectures; they help their students picture the material, and they speak in terms their listeners will understand. When Jesus had an important lesson for his disciples or for the crowds who gathered around him, he showed them what he wanted them to know by painting word pictures for them. He talked about things that were part of their experience, such as farming, fishing, food, and nature.

The crowds following Jesus were the first generation to hear the gospel, and many of them were confused about how to respond. Jesus used a parable to teach them about genuine faith. He talked about four types of soil: all four received the same seed, but only one produced a crop. He compared this to the four ways people respond to the same gospel. First are those who don't accept Christ because Satan prevents them from understanding the gospel when they hear it (see v. 19). Second are people who hear the gospel and respond immediately, but for whatever reason they don't grow in their faith. God's Word enters their minds but not their hearts. These people start out with enthusiasm, but they lack the depth to persevere in their faith, so they fall away. Third are those who accept Christ but fall victim to worldly thinking. They choose to rely on their own resources rather than on God, so their lives are no different from non-believers.

The first three types of soil produce no crop, but Jesus explained what happens when the seed falls on good soil. Those who hear the gospel, accept it, and grow in their faith are the people who make a difference in God's kingdom. You can read Jesus' explanation of his parable for yourself in Matthew 13:18-23. Consider each of the four soil types. Think about your own response to the gospel. Has God's Word produced everything that it could in your life?