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What kind of Soil Are You - Matthew 13
What kind of Soil Are You - Matthew 13
Jesus spoke to them in parables.
Although he did many miracles and they were amazed at his teaching, many did not put their trust in Him. How could this be? Wasn’t everyone to be a follower of the Christ when he came? No.
Isaiah’s prophecy was one that is fulfilled in every generation. They hear but do not hear. They see but they do not perceive. Their hearts are dull, their ears don’t hear, and their eyes don’t see.
Jesus then tells and explains the story of the ‘sower’, but more accurately labeled the parable of the soils. The seed is the word of God. The same seed is scattered everywhere. The RESPONSE (producing fruit from this seed) differs not because of the seed but because of the soil.
This is Jesus’ story, we must let Him tell it. He gives four different soil types. Three out of the four are unproductive. While such unproductiveness is due to different reasons, the end is the same: they produce no crop. Even the good soil produces differing yields.
We are to sow the seed – on every soil. We can not expect that everyone that hears will respond correctly, rather, Jesus’ shows that a majority of people will NOT respond and produce fruit!
Since the soil is the hearts of men, there is personal responsibility involved in such non-fruit production! Ezra prepared his heart! We are to ‘keep the heart with all diligence’. Some harden their heart instead.
What kind of soil are you? You can tell by inspecting the fruit. Yes, it was Jesus who said “by their fruit you shall know them.” Hugh DeLong
