• New Testament Reading: Matthew 13:1-23
• Old Testament Passage: Zechariah 7:8-14
• Points to Ponder

“The Seed That Fell On Good Soil”

My father-in-law is a farmer in the midwestern U.S. My wife comes from a family of farmers. They
know their seeds and they know their soils. They know what to do give their crops the best
opportunity possible to bear much fruit, because that’s what its all about. It is an amazing, almost
miraculous process, where a tiny seed is planted and with water, nutrients and time a plant is born
that bears dozens more new “seeds”.

Spiritually, the word is the seed (and specifically, “the message about the kingdom”). Once “sown”,
the only element that determines whether or not it germinates and produces a crop is the type or
condition of soil into which it falls. One “soil” hears but does not understand the message -- no
germination, no crop. Another hears it, receives it with joy, but gives up due to trouble or
persecution -- germination, but no crop. Another hears it, but worry and worldliness kill it -- again,
germination, but no crop. And the good soil, hears, understands and nurtures the seedling to
maturity -- germination and a crop.

• Questions to Consider: Which soil are you? On what basis have you drawn that conclusion?
If you are not the “good soil” what can and will you do to get out the rocks and the thorns? Be
specific and practical. If you can’t answer these questions confidently, get some input and advice
from someone you know is “good soil”.