Planted

Introduction

Planting and caring for plants take work, attention and time.

My mother has what I like to refer to as a green thumb. Someone who is considered to have a green thumb is considered to have a natural talent for growing plants.

The effectiveness of the growth of the seed is based on the condition of the soil the seed is planted in and the care that the seed is given after it is planted.

The seed of the gospel is sown generously no matter the heart condition of the individual. Its ability to take root and grow when planted is dependent on the condition of the “soil” of one’s heart.

What is the condition of the soil of your heart?

In our text today we find Jesus speaking to a crowd of people in one of his many parables. Parables are relatively short narratives with symbolic meaning.

Jesus presents to the people a narrative about the sower and the seed.

Jesus introduces us to 4 different types of soil.

Hardered or oblivious soil (Matthew 13:19) - this is the soil of a heart that is inhospitable to the seed that is sow. The enemy will come and snatch the seed away because he doesn’t want the seed to have any opportunity to take root and grow. This kind of soil will never reproduce because it can’t.

Troubled Soil (Matthew 13:20-21) this type of soil produces shallow roots. Life is a long, and at times difficult journey. A heart that is troubled by the obstacles and adversity of life will fail to produce deep roots. Individuals with troubled soil or hearts have an interest in the Gospel and even seem to embrace it at the beginning of the journey. However, over time without tending to the growth of the seed of the Gospel they will fall away during the tough times and tribulations that all disciples of Christ experience. Jesus said in John 16:33 - In this world you will have trouble but take heart because I have overcome the world. Shallow roots will not sustain a person through the adverse and difficult seasons of life. It takes deep and strong roots growing in healthy soil to weather the stormy seasons. Psalm 1:3 - a tree planted by the rivers of water.

Distracted Soil (Matthew 13:22) - this type of soil or heart cannot grow roots needed to sustain life. A heart that cares more for the things of the world than for the things of the Kingdom is not the healthy soil necessary to experience kingdom growth. The things of this world (money, status, popularity, and worldly endeavors) choke out the ability of the seed to get the nutrients and care necessary to grow roots. Unhealthy and distracted soil is not the place for seed to grow, and definitely not the place to find a harvest of healthy fruit.

Fertile Soil (Matthew 13:23) - this type of soil readily accepts the Gospel seed and does the hard work of nurturing it to grow. This type of soil or heart is open to the truth of God’s word and the transformation that will take place. This soil or heart is made ready by the prompting of the Holy Spirit and the participation of the individual. This heart does not just experience growth for themselves, but actually impacts those around them.

Healthy soil provides the opportunity for the growth of life giving plants.