The Farmer and his Field

     "A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop - a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."

     This is a parable Jesus taught. What does it mean? What does it have to do with us?

     When anyone hears the message about the kingdom of God and does not understand it, Satan comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path.

     The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. but since he has no root he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.

     The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the woman who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.

     But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the person who hears the word and understands it.That person produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.
(From Matthew 13:3-9 and 18-23 with gender attributions by me)

     What are we supposed to produce as the result of receiving God's word? Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control - these are called the fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23)

Insightfully yours,
Paulita