"Prepare the Soil"

           The parable of “the Sower and the Seed” is one that has been taught countless times throughout the historic and modern Church (Mat. 13; Mark 4; Luke 8). From it, there have come many great contemporary applications. Applications that have linked it to the “great commission” of Matthew 28 and to the spreading of the Gospel found in Romans 10:14-17. These are connections that can be made appropriately, and they offer a calling of urgency to the believer. In this manner, this application can incite the members of the Church to action, evangelism, and discipleship.

            A study of this parable, however, reveals a much simpler, profound truth. It is important to know the immediate interpretation held in the mind of Jesus, during this parable. While it can apply to us as being sowers of the Word today, Jesus most likely had Himself in mind as being the sower of the seed (Mark 4:10-11; Matthew 13:11; Luke 8:10). Jesus, being the Word of God, was the original Sower of the Word; He was the one to spread the Gospel to the disciples. It was Jesus who originally sowed the Word upon the hearts of man.

            Also, another striking factor is revealed from this study. This is one of great agricultural consequence. Jesus did not prepare the soil before He cast the seed. Within the agricultural community, this was terrible practice for a farmer. The soil always needed to be prepared – to be turned, dug, and watered. This may imply that the “good soil” were those “who have ears to hear” – those who have prepared their own hearts to receive the Word. Had Jesus toiled the soil for us, He would have been in danger of trampling the free-will he had given humanity. He gives us, like He gave the Pharisees, the choice and the chance to receive His Word. We have the opportunity to prepare the soil of our hearts to receive the life-giving power of God’s Word.

            With this in mind, we can sow the Word (with the Lord) into the various soils of our communities and cultures, but it will be nothing more than a religious act if we do not daily prepare our own hearts to receive this blessed Seed. I do not know about you, but I will diligently endeavor to sow the seed wherever I find opportunity, and I will prepare myself for the Lord. I will sow, and I will prepare the soil. Let us, together, change this nation by spreading the Gospel and by being a People whose hearts are prepared to hear from God.

-          Dusty