SOWING THE SEEDS OF THE GOSPEL IN OUR HEARTS
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On the shores of the Sea of Galilee, the crowds gather around their Teacher. Jesus instructs the people in parables… stories illustrating spiritual truths using scenarios familiar to their daily lives. Living in an agrarian society, His followers can relate to farming analogies. So Jesus teaches them about the Master Sower and His kingdom fields…
“Listen! 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 had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.” – Mark 4:3-8
The crowds understand that farmers sow their seeds by hand as they walk across the fields, generously scattering the seeds by handfuls onto the ground. Some seeds blow away in the wind. Some land on uncultivated areas like paths, rocks and thorns. Yet enough seeds settle on fertile soil, prepared and ready for planting, to ensure a successful harvest.
After the crowds disperse, the disciples ask Jesus the deeper meaning of His parable. He explains that they are privileged to understand the secrets of God’s kingdom because their eyes, ears and hearts are receptive to His teachings. Jesus proceeds to enlighten them about the Master Sower…
“The farmer sows the word. Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.” – Mark 4:14-15
† Unsprouted Faith
Seeds that alight on the path have no soil in which to sprout. These are the unsaved who choose to reject Christ and His gospel message. Their hearts are hardened and unreceptive. The enemy plucks up the seeds from their hearts before there is chance for salvation.
“Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive 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.” – Mark 4:16-17
† Shallow Faith
Seeds that land among rocks form no roots. These are seekers who hear the gospel message and receive it eagerly and with joy. Yet the seeds fail to take root in their hearts so their enthusiasm wanes. When testing and trials come their way, they abandon their faith.
“Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.” – Mark 4:18-19
† Entangled Faith
Seeds that settle in the thorns sprout, yet the seedlings are choked by the brambles. These are the wavering believers who are ensnared by the thorns and thistles of life. They are immersed in the world with its worries and its materialistic pleasures and pursuits. They find no time or room for Christ in their lives and yield no fruit for the kingdom.
“Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.” – Mark 4:20
† Grounded Faith
Seeds that touch down in fertile soil sprout, grow and produce fruit. These are true believers who understand and accept the gospel message with open hearts, allowing it to change their lives. They have a deep, abiding faith in Christ, loyally following Him no matter the cost. They produce abundant fruit for the kingdom that remains for eternity.
What level of faith resonates with you? Is your heart receptive to the Master Sower? Have you yielded to Christ and His gospel message of salvation in your life?
The Master Sower sows the seeds of the gospel into hearts and lives everywhere. Yet some seeds are unproductive. The spiritual harvest is fruitful when hearts are receptive. When hearts are hardened, rocky or thorny, no spiritual fruit is produced. The seeds sown are good, ready to germinate. The Sower is faithful, lovingly overseeing His fields and watering the seeds with His grace. Thus, the harvest is dependent upon the condition of the heart where the seeds are sown.
“So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith… being rooted and grounded in love.” – Ephesians 3:17
All believers are rooted and grounded in the love of Christ. Our hearts are open and welcoming to the gospel message. Our faith deepens as we grow to spiritual maturity under the loving care of the Master Sower. The result? A bountiful harvest of everlasting fruit for His kingdom and for His glory.
