In the parable of the Sower which is mentioned in Matthew 13: 3-23; Mark 4: 3-25; Luke 8: 5-18 Jesus Christ mentioned four types of soils or grounds namely the path or way; the rocky ground without much soil; the soil with thorns; and the good soil. Under God’s guidance, we will discuss these types of soils together with other factors which accounted for the respective outcomes of their yields.
The path or the way
Jesus said about the path or way in Matthew 13: 19, when any one hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in his heart; this is what was sown along the path. The path is a public access meaning Jesus Christ availed his word to all in the path of life. In public places we are exposed to danger and need to guard our souls against worldly attractions. 2 Timothy 6: 20-21 say O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid the godless chatter and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge. For by professing it, some have missed the mark as regards the faith. Grace be with you.
The birds symbolized detractors of the word. They were allowed to devour the seeds without any prevention or security. Also the birds described were symbols of the fluttering birds in Isaiah 16: 2 or birds of prey in Isaiah 18: 6. We are thus exposed to unsteady and opportunistic influences. So, 2 Timothy 2: 15 says do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. Are we ashamed of Christ in the passage of life? The Lord should grant us wisdom from above to protect his word from spiritual birds.
The rocky ground
Jesus said of the rocky ground in Matthew 13: 20-21 say this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. The two negative conditions were the insufficient soil and the scotched sun. There was therefore an opportunity to add to the soil to improve it but it was neglected. Not all rocks are without vegetation or shrubs or cannot be cultivated. We can improve our rocky soils with rededication to Christ Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit.
God has given us every opportunity to change our circumstances for the better if we desire. 2 Corinthians 6: 2 says behold, now is the acceptable time; behold now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 8: 12 says for if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a man has, not according to what he has not. We must not be discouraged by what we see but be encouraged by who Christ Jesus is. He said in Matthew 19: 26; Mark 10: 27; Luke 18: 27 with men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. He also said in Luke 1: 37 for with God nothing will be impossible.
The rocky soil was perhaps discouraging because it was much work to cultivate for an expected yield. Some of us shy away from challenging work including costs but easy lives for. 2 Samuel 24: 24 says I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God which cost me nothing. God said of Paul in Acts 9:15-16 that he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name. We must live up to the challenges of the faith.
Limited or shallow soils symbolize partial faithfulness, lukewarm attitudes, non-seriousness, love for only comfort, temporary association, short cuts, quick gains, and love for recognition without foundation in God. The scotched sun represents hard times, unbearable times, or discomforting times. We must be prepared and ready when it comes.
The thorny soil
Jesus referred to the soil with thorns in Matthew 13: 22 as he who hears the word, but cares of the world and the delight in riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. Jesus simply meant friendship with the world against friendship with him. James 4: 4 says do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Also Romans 12:2 says do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
The soil with thorns also meant that the soil was good except that the grains were poorly attended to by allowing the thorns to grow with the seeds instead of being uprooted in time. It reflects an attitude of neglect, laziness, indifference, lack of care, and or lack of responsibility. It is an attitude of ignoring what people see or say about us. With such attitudes, we will not grow spiritually. Proverbs 18: 9 says he who slacks in his work is a brother to him who destroys. Jeremiah 48: 10 also says cursed is he who does the work of the Lord with slackness; and cursed is he who keeps back his sword from bloodshed.
Thorns stand for pain and they stifle our spiritual growth. Thorns effectively shift our primary focus from God to its attractions. Some of us have kept pain in our hearts against others for too long. It is time to let our pains go, however they nature so that we can release our souls from bondage to grow freely. Colossians 3: 13 says if one has a complaint against another, forgive each other; as the Lord has forgiven you so you also must forgive. Growing with bad characters such as thorns will choke us.
The characters of the thorns and grain were different and not complimentary so they should have been separated but unfortunately they became equally yoked. 2 Corinthians 6: 14 says do not be equally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership have righteousness and iniquity? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? Paul says in 2 Corinthians 6:17 therefore come out from them, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch nothing unclean, then I will welcome you.
It is time to let all pain go away because they belong to the world. We must focus on the destiny of the soul. We can then refocus back on Jesus Christ to sow his word in our hearts to grow and to bear deserving fruits of righteousness for the kingdom of God. We must not be thorns against Christ Jesus. What characters of thorns are we? Titus 2: 7 says show yourself in all respects a model of good deeds, and in your teaching show integrity, gravity, and sound speech that cannot be censured, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say of us.
Prayer
Our Father in heaven, we have been thorns in the lives of many. We have also grown with the thorns of this world. We are sorry for neglecting your word and have come back to you for mercy. Heal our desires so we may vacate the world. Prosper our lives in all good measures so your name will be glorified. In the blessed name of Christ Jesus we pray, Amen!!
