The Divine Farmer: What’s Your Soil?

Published on Apr 11, 2023
Category: Behold! | Devotion

Read: Mark 4:1-20

Mark 4:3 – Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed.

God the Divine Farmer, sows the seed of His word, to all people.

The story of the farmer who sows seeds in different types of soil is commonly known as the parable of the sower. However, it would be more accurate to refer to it as the parable of the soils, as it illustrates how the seeds’ growth is affected by the soil’s quality. In the parable, the Sower represents God, who sows the seeds of his word, or the gospel message, to people in the world. The seeds represent the message of the gospel, and the different types of soil represent the different conditions of people’s hearts when they hear the message.

The seed fell on three areas without lasting success: on the pathway or the wayside, on the rocky ground, and among thorns. But some of the seed fell on good ground. Of the seed that fell on the good ground, all of it produced – but interestingly, not all produced to the same degree.

The seed that falls on the path represents those who hear the message but do not understand it, and the devil comes and snatches away the message from their hearts.

The seed that falls on rocky soil represents those who receive the message with joy but have no root, and when trouble or persecution comes, they fall away.

The seed that falls among thorns represents those who hear the message but are choked by the cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and they do not mature.

Finally, the seed that falls on good soil represents those who hear the message, understand it, and produce a crop, some a hundred, some sixty, some thirty times what was sown.

This is a powerful reminder that God, Divine Farmer, does not differentiate, but sows the seed of the gospel among all peoples. The difference lies in the condition of one’s heart and how we receive the gospel. Would you ask the Lord to enable you to heed the Ancient Words today?

Ponder

  1. What has been your own heart response to the message of the gospel? Are you like the wayside, rocky ground, thorny ground, or good soil?
  2. How can you cultivate a heart that is receptive to the gospel message?
  3. What can you do to get connected to a group of believers (If you are not already), who can encourage and pray with you when you experience times spiritual dryness or apathy?

Scripture Writing: Psalm 119:11

Song: Ancient Words

Bible Verses: Bible, God’s Word

For more daily devotions like this – buy At the Potter’s Wheel (Kindle)

Author

Preethi Alice Jacob

Preethi Jacob is the author of the yearlong devotional At the Potter’s Wheel, Day by Day. Her journey includes teaching a Bible Study Fellowship class, teaching and leading the Sunday School ministry in her church, leading Bible studies, besides counselling young women. She serves on the Global Mission Team of the United Bible Societies and lives in Bangalore, India with her husband and two young adult children.

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