When I was growing up, I had a love-hate relationship with that precious spring Saturday when all signs (from my mother) pointed to the fact that it was garden planting day.
I loved going to the greenhouse and picking out the little plants and seeds. I hated the work that would soon ensue.
I loved the thought of tasty veggies in a few months, but I hated the wait.
I loved the variety of our family’s garden: Strawberries, blackberries, zucchini, yellow squash, tomatoes, peppers, corn, green beans, okra, onions… But hated when the bugs took out some of my favorite varieties.
I loved playing in the dirt, but hated the “rules” that had to be followed for the plants to survive and thrive.
I loved watering the garden, but hated dragging the hose all over Timbuktu to get it there.
Yes, it was a love-hate relationship.
Now, I miss having a garden– even the hard work that it included. We live on post with a teeny tiny backyard and there really isn’t much space for a garden.
But I still dream… And sometimes those dreams weave their way into my spiritual life.
Which brings to another Jesus adventure in our Walk through the Parable Series… The Parable of the Sower.
This parable is found in Matthew, Mark and Luke, but today we will specifically be looking at Matthew 13:1-23.
Here’s the abridged 7 Days Time version of the parable:
Jesus was being followed by yet another infamously large, eager crowd. He told them the story of a farmer who went out and planted some seeds. The seeds fell in different places: on the path, in shallow/rocky soil, among thorn bushes/weeds and on good soil.
Each location produced a different result. Seed that fell on the path didn’t have a chance to grow because the birds came and gobbled it up. The seed in the shallow, rocky soil sprung up but quickly died because it couldn’t put down solid roots. Seeds that found themselves in the thorns grew but were soon choked out by the surrounding weeds. Finally, the seed that fell on the good, hearty, rich soil? Yep, it grew to maturity and produced MORE seeds, sixty times more than the original.
Great illustration, right? Kind of makes you want to grab some tools and get start working the ground. (Or maybe that’s just me.)
But it is a parable, which means there is a bigger moral to the story than just how to tap into your inner horticulturist and successfully grow a garden from Jesus’ perspective.
The Sower represents God, Jesus or the person(s) <like you or me!) sharing God’s word, hope and promise. The seeds are the kingdom’s message of salvation through Christ Jesus.
The different soils represent the following:
The Path– When someone hears the message but doesn’t get it and The Enemy (see also: Jerkface Satan) comes and takes it away or corrupts it before it can do any good for God or that person who heard it.
The Shallow/Rocky Soil– This is the person who hears and receives the word with joy, but once life gets tough, gives up and goes back to the world’s ways.
The Thorns/Weeds– This person hears the word, embraces it, but soon allows the worries, anxiety and pressures of the world to choke it out and remove all effectiveness on their lives.
The Good Soil– This represents the person who hears the Good News, understands it, lives it, and shares it with those around him. This person bears great fruit for the glory of God and his Almighty Kingdom!
So now comes the loaded question: How does YOUR garden grow? Which of these four types of soil does your life represent? How can you make steps toward cultivating and growing in “good” soil? Join the conversation by leaving a comment below.
Take some time to really meditate on this parable. Ask God to show you where your “garden” needs to be deepened, weeded or planted to yield fruit.
Oh, and don’t forget to rejoice in those moments when you have the opportunity to “harvest” what has been sown in your life by planting seeds and cultivating Christ in other’s lives.
Live with confidence to know that with God’s help, your garden can be that of rich soil and when someone asks you “How does your garden grow?” you can reply “My Garden Grows for God!”
Growing in Christ,
“The seed cast on good earth is the person who hears and takes in the News, and then produces a harvest beyond his wildest dreams.” ~Matthew 13:23 MSG
Linking up today with Kelli via Unforced Rhythms, Laura at Playdates with God, and Joan’s Beauty in His Grip. Oh! And be sure to join our #EverydayJesus link-up community right here at 7 Days Time every Thursday!
