First a few verses to set the stage - Matthew 13:3-9 3:And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, "Behold, a sower went forth to sow; 4:And when he sowed, some seeds feel by the way side, and the folws came and devoured them up: 5:Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: 6:And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. 7:And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: 8:But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. 9:Who hath ears to hear, let him hear

And then going to Matthew 13:18-23 - - 18:Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. 19:When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the wayside. 20:But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; 21:Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. 22:He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. 23:But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

I write this to encourage the pastor - this parable should encourage spiritual "sowers", all those who teach, preach, or lead others. The farmer sowed good seeds, but not all the seed sprouted, and even the plants that grew had varying yields. Do not be discouraged if you do not always see results as you faithfully teach the word. Belief cannot be forced to follow a mathematical formula (ie, a 4:1 ratio of seeds planted to seeds sprouted). Rather, it is a miracle of God's Holy Spirit as he uses your words to lead others to him.

The gospel message must be given to create some response. The 4 types of soil represent different responses to God's message. People respond differently because they are in different states of readiness. Some are hardened, some are shallow. Others are contaminated by distracting worries, and some are receptive. We all need to constantly examine ourselves to see how God's Word has taken root in our lives. And I thank Gordon, as well as others in the church, for sowing good seed!

[Note - Some excerpts for this devotional were taken from "The Handbook of Bible Application" from Tyndale House Publishers, INC 1992]

Steve Atwood