A farmer went out to sow his seed. Matthew 13:3

For many years, this parable has resonated with me deeply, particularly the concept of different soil types. I’ve become almost fixated on the fourth type and I find myself yearning for its fertile conditions. We’re going to take a week to look this parable. It’s too rich to rush through it.

Jesus shared this parable with a gathering in Judea. As He spoke, they sat on a hillside, likely observing farmers sowing seeds, surrounded by the lush fields that embrace the Sea of Galilee. Jesus masterfully crafted His message by weaving it into relatable experiences. While they watched the seeds being scattered, He would reference their surroundings before drawing parallels to kingdom life.

Because of my life’s story, I am often skeptical of Jesus’ words. I stumble over His unconventional methods. It’s as if the seed falls onto unyielding soil. What must happen for poor soil to be transformed into a pristine growing environment? That’s the stuff of what’s coming in the next few devotionals.

I close my eyes and envision what happens when God’s Word falls in nutrient-rich, aerated soil. I see it unfold in slow motion. As the seed touches the ground, life surges within, and then the process of growth begins. Seeds burst forth, and the moist conditions nurture their beginnings. In time, I envision myself becoming the tree in Psalm 1 – spiritually vibrant, branches cascading over the riverbank. My roots are anchored deeply in Christ, making it second nature for me to bear fruit rather than laboring for it. Bad storms will come and go, they will bend my branches, but no matter the ferocity of the wind, the tree will stand tall. What God plants, nothing can destroy. 

You are my Gardener, my Husbandman. Assess the soil of my heart. Amen