May 19, 2023

Matthew 13:18-23 (HCSB)
The Parable of the Sower Explained 18 “You, then, listen to the parable of the sower:  19 When anyone hears the word  about the kingdom and doesn’t understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the one sown along the path.  20 And the one sown on rocky ground—this is one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy.  21 Yet he has no root in himself, but is short-lived. When pressure or persecution  comes because of the word, immediately he stumbles. 22 Now the one sown among the thorns—this is one who hears the word, but the worries of this age  and the seduction  of wealth  choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 23 But the one sown on the good ground—this is one who hears and understands the word, who does bear fruit and yields: some 100, some 60, some 30 times what was sown.”

Olivia Yates
These four types of soil represent four types of hearers that hear the Word of the Lord and four different outcomes. The first three types represent those who reject Jesus outright and those who falsely claim to be believers in Him. None of those seeds bear any fruit. Of the four kinds of soil in the parable, only one was good. Only true believers will bear the proper spiritual truth and bear fruit. Where is your heart at today? Which type of soil does your heart represent? Only YOU know where your relationship with the Lord is.