Anchor My Faith

Further Explanation Given

Scripture: Matthew 13:20-23; Luke 8:13-15

In our previous lesson Jesus spoke to his disciples about their lack of understanding of a rather simple parable and then proceeded to explain to them the parable of the sower. In that lesson we looked at the seed sown along the path. In this lesson we will look at the three remaining conditions: rocky ground, thorns, and good soil.

^{Mt 13:20} “As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy. ^{Lk 8:13} they believe for a while, ^{Mt 13:21} yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away.”

The spiritual application for seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and at first receives it with joy and maybe an expression of belief, but what was heard does not take root deeply enough to endure the stress of life, especially when tribulation and persecution comes. When tribulation and persecution come, and I believe it will, to the western church, will those who claim to be Christian stand strong or will they deny their relationship with Jesus Christ and fall away?

^{Mt 13:22} “As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, ^{Lk 8:14} but as they go on their way ^{Mt 13:22} the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.”

When I think about my farming experiencing or my home gardens, I have learned that weeds usually are hardier than the plants from the sowed seeds and if left will reduce the yield or even choke out the plants. This is true with life. If the heart is attracted to the things and the riches of the world, then the word will have competition and will yield to the person’s desires. Just as plants need to be cultivated or cared for to produce a good harvest, so the person must attend to the growth of the word in their heart.

^{Mt 13:23} “As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, ^{Lk 8:15} holding it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience. ^{Mt 13:23} He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

I believe the “good soil” indicates spiritual birth has occurred and the ingredients are present to support plant life, or in the case of a person, bearing fruit. It is a heart that has been prepared to receive the gospel and speaks of a person who hears the word and understands it and holds fast to it in an honest way with patience. That person will bear fruit in relation to how good the soil of the heart is.

Prayer

Father, we have looked at four soil conditions. The first three did not produce any fruit because the soil was not “good soil.” I believe “good soil” indicates spiritual life and if there is spiritual life it will be validated by the production of fruit in its season. Fruit is only possible if we as branches are attached to and abiding in Jesus Christ. Without Jesus we will not have good soil and will not bear any fruit.