Isaiah 65-66

1 Timothy 2

“Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.” —Matthew 13:8-9

In the parable of the sower, Jesus talks about a sower scattering seeds and how some of them fell along the path, some fell on rocky

places, some fell among thorns and some fell on good soil. For the latter, Jesus explains, “The seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown” (Matthew 13:23).

Jesus’s last example is the person who makes the one-foot journey, taking what they hear into their heart. The person not only hears the Word, but understands it and puts it into practice. They are soft soil longing for the gardener to plant good seed inside of them. There is something different about them because they are allowing God’s Word, God’s truth to take root deeply in their lives. It is as though it is at the heart of their lives and everything is organized with it as the priority. As Jesus takes His proper place in our lives, He changes us from the inside out and the fruit pops out on the surface of our lives.

This is not the first time the New Testament compares the Christian life to agriculture; it is a theme that runs throughout. In John 15:1, Jesus says, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the gardener.” Jesus says this right before going to the cross; He points that God is the gardener and He comes into our life to tend the soil, prune the bushes so that they may be even more fruitful. In the book of Hebrews, we encounter a church that is going through many trials, difficulty and persecution. The author of Hebrews speaks to the church and exhorts them, “Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned” (Hebrews 6:7-8). Like the parable of the sower, the writer of Hebrew highlights how one group hears it and produces fruit and receives the blessing of God while another group hears and all there are are thorns and thistles in their life.

Take a moment to reflect on ourselves: how would Jesus describe the soil of our heart? If we are afraid to admit that we are not good soil, here is the good news: it is never too late for Him to change the soil of our heart.

Precious Jesus, I want to be someone who hears Your Word, understands it and bears fruit. Thank You, Lord.