Soil and Heart

N. T. #146 “Soil and Heart”

Sept. 18, 2023 

Matthew 13-Part3 

LET IT GLOW 

Now we begin studying the 7 parables Jesus used to give a spiritual truth to His disciples and the crowd  Can you picture Him sitting in a boat along the shore of the Sea of Galilee? The crowd is sitting along the grassy hillside listening to the great teacher.

The first parable involves a farmer who is sowing seed for his crop. What are the various types of soil situations on which it fell?

1. A footpath or road which was on the edge of a ploughed field or a beaten path. These areas are hard, packed down by farmers walking on it  The seeds of grain land there and birds snatch them up.
2. Shallow soil is rocky and the top soil might be only a few inches deep. The farmer can’t hoe the ground for the rocks being there. Therefore, the plant has no Roos and the sun burns it up.
3. Thorny soil is located near the edge of the field with thorny bushes. Those bushes rob the seeds of sunlight and nutrients in the soil, so the grain is choked out. 
4. Good soil is deep, rich soil without weeds, thorns, trampling feet, no birds around, no rocks or scorching heat. It is ideal soil for grain to grow, produce a hundredfold, and gives a bountiful crop for the farmer. (verses 3-9)

In this story, the farmer is representing Jesus, the seed is the Word of God, and the soil is the hearts of people. His Word falls on various kinds of hearts. 

(Resource: Swindoll’s Living Insightsin Matthew)

LET IT GROW 

Which kind of heart is ours that the Word falls on inside us?

1. The road represents a hard heart. (verse 19) This person has a closed mind, is blind to the Truth, refuses to listen or accept the teachings, so Satan snatches the message away and no good is accomplished. 
2. Rocky places represents a shallow heart, hardened to the Truth. (verses 20-21) There may be a burst of emotion after hearing a message, but faith has no roots and can’t withstand affliction or persecution. They are gone.
3. The thorns represent a crowded heart. (verse 22) This heart is occupied by worldly interests, pursuits, desires, and goals. A worrisome and rich oriented heart yields an unfruitful life. 
4. The good soil represents an open heart. (verse23)This person hears the Word, sees the Truth, listens, and understands. It results in faith and obedience with a life of great fruit.  

The good soil represents those saved from the result of their sin through faith. Are we receiving, hearing, and living God’s Word today? 

(Resource: Swindoll’s Living Insights in Matthew)

LET IT GO

Soften our hearts today, Jesus, to Your Truth.

Grow our faith so You receive honor.