Ned Brown 02-06-2022 // The Sower and the Soils; Matthew 13:1-9; 19-23

When we come to the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13, the general question that comes to mind is, which of the soils represent the believer and which represent those who have not trusted Jesus for salvation.  The first soil is the pathway onto which the seed falls.  As Jesus explained to His disciples, this is the one who hears the Word but does not understand it and Satan comes and takes it away.  This points to the unbeliever.

On the other end of the spectrum is the fourth soil, the good, prepared, fertile soil which yields a crop a hundredfold, sixty-fold and thirty-fold.  This is the one who hears the Word, understands it and produces abundant fruit.

But in the middle are two other soils which have been the subject of much debate.  The second soil is the rocky ground, the person who receives the Word with joy, but has no root in himself and the troubles and trials of life cause him to quickly fall away.  Likewise, the third is the seed which falls among the thorns, and the worries of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke out the Word and he can bear little fruit.

How do we understand these two soils, and how can we, as believers, apply this to our own lives?

Thank you for listening to today's message.  May you be blessed through the teaching of God's Word.