The Bible goes on to interpret the meaning of this parable. First it clearly states that the seeds are the Word of God. It says that the first seeds were sown on the roadside and the devil immediately casts doubts and takes them away so that the person never believes unto salvation.
This is the one I'm not sure I understand. Do you think that these could be people who we share the Word with and then they don't get involved in a church so that Satan can easily take it from them? I'm just trying to figure out what it means that it was beside the road.
Next the seeds are thrown onto the rocks. There is a thin layer of dirt so they actually sprout up and begin to grow... but they have no root so that when a time of temptation comes they wither and die.
I was reading in my morning devotional today by Matthew Henry and he surmised that this one represented a person who had a hardened heart. So that the seeds seemed exciting and they begin growing, but then the hardened heart prevents them from moving down into their souls.
The seeds thrown into the thorns represent the people who take more concern with riches and pleasures and cares of this life so that those things choke out the growth that began to take place.
This one is also interesting to consider. I believe that just like the rich man who had done everything to keep the law, Jesus told him (and us) that he had to give it all away and follow Jesus to be saved. This grieved the man and he left!! If He asked us to give it all away to follow Him could we, would we?
Finally the seeds sown onto the good soil, they have good hearts which allows them to keep the word and bring forth fruit with patience.
AHH The good soil! We would all like to believe that we have good cultivated soil. I threw that last word in there, cultivated. Here are some definitions as found on dictionary.com
Cultivated:
3. to promote or improve the growth of by labor and attention.
4. to develop or improve by education or training; train; refine.
If you've ever gardened you know that you have to add things into the soil and then till them into the soil. Some of the things added are manure, and compost. These things aren't pleasant to work with and they wouldn't be things we would ever eat! But they are necessary in order to have healthy plants that produce good fruits.
These are not pleasant sounding things to have happen in our hearts! Are we prepared to let the Lord cultivate our hearts so that seeds will grow in us? If you are going through difficult circumstances stop and ask the Lord if this is part of His cultivating work in your life.
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Having Satan cast doubts is a pretty serious deterrent to belief. There are folks who can't find a grain of truth in the Bible....whoever speaks it to them. They won't give the Word the time of day--beyond the scope of realism, practicality, common sense, etc. (sigh!)
I'm very glad that you brought up the cultivation definitions, because our soil isn't just pure and perfect. Far from it, yes? But, I'm glad the Lord declares it good, as how can any fruit come forward otherwise?
I never tire of this parable; thanks for your thoughts!
Cultivate. What a great revelation. I never thought about that term in this parable but it is so relevant. I love it.
In the NIV it says some fell along the path. Jesus interprets it "Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved."
The way I understand this, the path has no place for any root to even begin to sprout. It just gets kicked out of the way.
He interprets the good soil as "But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop."
It seems that the cultivating you mention is in the persevering. Very good thoughts Sonya.
I have used this parable to encourage the ladies who volunteer with me at the CPC.
So many time you wonder if what you have shared with the young women has taken root.
But I remind them,that God says to not hide His Word but to throw out the seeds that bring life,to just do our part.
My answer to the seeds on the roadside...those who refuse to believe the full truth of God's Word.
I love how you brought the compose & manure into the subject. We all have "ugly things" or suffering in our life...but you are right. They mature us and make us more able to produce good fruit.
Yes, the seed is the Word and we have to hold on to it and protect it. Hide it in our hearts, if you would, so that the devil can't snatch it from us. It is to be guarded with all we have!
In Him,
Beth
That brings up a lot of interesting points. Thanks for making me think!
I remember my father and his garden. It was a lot of work but the end results was the best veggies this side of heaven. I pray that I tender my soil to cultivation in order that I may produce all the He wants from me.
Blessings,
Denise
Our Sunday school class discussed this parable yesterday. I concluded that it is indeed very hard work to remain true to our faith.
It's so important to be part of a faith community and to be involved in small groups so you can stay accountable to others in your walk.
I would say that though it is difficult sometimes, it is worth the work!
It was a sobering day when I realized the soil of my heart naturally tends toward the thorny soil, and sometimes even the hard soil... it takes constant effort to tend my own garden so the soil is prepared for God's seeds.
Hello again. Well I am a gardener so let me shed my opinion on this gardening.
The seeds that land beside the road represent the people who are close to the right path but don't quite get involved. They know enough about God and the path but they aren't willing to follow that path.
The seeds in the rocks are like the people who hear the word of God but don't dig deeper and try to understand it. They simply don't have enough foundation to endure the tough times.
The seeds in the thorns are like good people who surround themselves with bad people. They will eventually be choked out by the thorns. I personally know this happens.
Yes, the good soil is not always the clean easy to work with soil. Just as the Way isn't always easy or pretty but in the end, it produces the best fruit.
Just my take on this. I read it recently.
Greg
Hi Sonya!
#1 Amen to LAUGHTER!
#2 Amen to Needing one another.. God thought of EVERYTHING!
#3 AWWWW VALERIE!! Give her a smoochy holykiss for me okay? What a precious child! I bet that card is lovely!!!
#4 That bird was a gift from God!!
#5 I'm thankful for TT too; Thank YOU for hosting them!!! ;)
Hugs,
Lea
Hi Sonya! Awesome post. I really liked the analogy. I'll learn to thank God for the cultivation process even more because it's necessary in order to grow.
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