Jesus teaches the people the parable of the soils. He tells of a farmer who went out to sow seed; some fell on the path, some on rocky ground, some on thorny ground, and some on good soil. He goes on to tell them that each soil gave a different result. The disciples asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”
Jesus goes on to tell them that God reveals it to those who actually want to hear. He tells them that this is the fulfillment of the prophet Isaiah.
Matthew 13:15 (Jesus quoting Isaiah 6:9-10)
For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’
Jesus tells them that they are blessed.
Matthew 13:16-17
But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.
Then, He tells them the meaning of the parable:
- The Path – no understanding and Satan comes and takes the truth away from them.
- Rocky Soil – Quick response to the truth, but it doesn’t get rooted.
- Thorny Soil – When challenges come they turn away, the cares of this life are more important than the truth.
- Good soil – Receives the truth and they hear and understand. This person now not only knows the truth, but lives it and shares it with others and many others come to the truth because of them.
Matthew 13:23
But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
We come to understand that the soil is the condition of the heart. Is it hard, rocky, thorny, or open to what God is saying? Jesus is specifically talking about Himself, open to what God is saying about Jesus.
I do not want to be those of whom Isaiah spoke about.
Matthew 13:14-15
‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. 15 For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’
Do we have open hearts? Have our hearts been calloused, not allowing any truth to go deep, or are we so concerned about this life that we don’t make room for God and His word?
I want to produce fruit. I want my heart to be good soil for what God is saying. I am reminded of Jesus’ admonition at the end of the parable.
Matthew 13:9
He who has ears, let him hear.
