While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.”
When he said this, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
(verses 4-8)
-
“Still other seed fell on good soil.”
Yes. Here’s the farmer’s motivation. This is what he’s aiming at. Good seed in good soil that produces a good crop – indeed the potential is huge, the seed multiplying a hundred times over. It’s incredibly worthwhile to be a farmer.
But failure looms large. Not every seed produces a crop. Indeed, there are more possible variations of failure than success: hard-packed path, rocky ground, thorny patches, yielding possibilities of seed falling prey to hungry birds, scorching sun, and nutrient-robbing weeds.
The farmer could focus on these hazards. If he did, he’d never scatter seed at all. The waste of seed and energy, hopes and dreams, would overwhelm him. If these disasters were front and centre in his mind, why would he bother? How foolish to expend such effort.
But clearly, the farmer doesn’t focus there. Oh, he knows it’s a reality. He knows some of the seed released in each scattered handful will come to nothing. But his focus isn’t there. It’s on the rest of the seed, flying outward from his open hand, landing on that rich, moist soil before him, finding a home, rooting deep, drawing nourishment, springing up. Good seed in good soil. That’s what keeps him going.
In telling his story, Jesus reminds us of kingdom realities. The incredible good news of salvation in Jesus will not always be matched by receptive hearts. Indeed, some will be outright hard and disinterested – maddeningly so. Others, seemingly enthusiastic, will respond with joy and delight, then hit bumps in the road, then waver and falter and let go of hope. Others, who at first are eagerly responsive, when it comes right down to it, will lose interest, grow distracted and move on.
Jesus is telling us not to be discouraged – this is the way of the world. But press on to fruitfulness. For when good seed meets good soil, the results can’t be contained.
This is good news for preachers like me. There are so many times my own hopes are raised, only to be dashed. Yet, seed is sown – there are eternal possibilities. And not only for preachers – this is good news for all who are part of Christ’s kingdom. All of us, in our way, are sent out as farmers, scattering seed through word and deed, hoping for harvest, but so often seeing the more immediate stony response, or withering interest, or blinding distraction. Good seed in good soil takes longer – at first merely hidden – is anything happening? But then growth becomes visible, and oh how good!
Don’t hold the seed back. Let it fly.
-
Lord Jesus, strengthen my arm and determination to let seed fly. Give me endless hope, seeing through faith what can sprout and grow into eternity. Use me to see people step into life eternal. Amen.
-
Reflect:
Where can you cast seed this week? Ask the Lord if there is a person in your circle he is preparing to receive good seed.
-
Photo by Dương Trí on Unsplash
Comments