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.

Matthew 13:23

Jesus began to teach the disciples from a boat on the Sea of Galilee.

This is sometimes known as His Sermon on the Sea. It is very likely that it was springtime when the Lord was telling this story, and probably those listening could see a sower on the hillside going forth to sow. Perhaps they could see where the seeds were being scattered: on a path, on rocky places, among thorns and thistles, and on good soil. Jesus explains the parable of the sower first by telling them that the seed represents the message of the kingdom, an invisible, spiritual, heavenly kingdom that goes beyond what we can comprehend with our five senses. The seed of the kingdom refers to God’s promise of power and righteousness for the salvation of everyone who believes. (Romans 1:16-17) The key to the seed bearing fruit is the condition of the soil. Similarly, our hearts must be prepared if we are to receive the Word of God. Jesus explains the parable: When anyone hears the message of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. (Matthew 13:19) The seed that falls on rocky places is the man who hears the Word and receives it with joy, but because he has no root, he quickly falls away when trouble comes. The seed that falls among thorns is the man who hears the Word, but the worries of this life choke it out. But the seed that falls on good soil is the man who hears the Word and understands it. The Word bears fruit in his life yielding thirty, sixty or one hundred times what was sown.

Has the Word of God born fruit in your life? Is the soil or the condition of your heart tilled and ready to receive God’s Word? Or is your heart hardened so that the seed is choked out by the cares of the world? If you are willing to allow the Lord to prepare your heart, you will find that His Word will transform your life, and you will know the joy that His Word brings.

Heavenly Father,

You know the condition of my heart. I surrender my heart to you, to till and prepare it to receive Your Word. Where my heart is hard, soften it so that the seed of Your Word will find a place prepared to yield a harvest of righteousness.

In Jesus’ name, Amen