Soil Testing
By Lisa Boyer
“Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop - - a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
Matthew 13:8
It’s spring and my work place will soon be receiving calls from people looking for information on soil testing. They’ll collect a soil sample from their garden and ship it off to be tested. A few weeks later, they’ll get the results and a recommended treatment plan. If they properly prepare their soil, they can expect a good harvest.
The thought of soil testing has had me pondering the “The Parable of the Sower” in Matthew 13.
As you may recall, the seed falls on four types of soil: the path (hard soil), the rocky places with shallow soil, the soil containing thorns, and the good soil. Jesus explains the Parable in Matthew 13:18b-23 “When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one 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 man 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 man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
Jesus wants everyone to understand and receive His message, so maybe part of the point He was making in the “The Parable of the Sower” is actually a warning about the condition of the soil. Life is a difficult journey and any number of things can damage the heart (soil). Maybe Jesus was pointing out that the soil (the heart) needs to be properly prepared to receive the seed (the message) before we sow it.
Isn’t that what Jesus did while He was here on Earth? Wasn’t He nurturing the hurting hearts of those around Him with love and compassion and healing? Jesus’ second greatest commandment, just like the first, is about love… and perhaps soil preparation and maintenance.
Before sharing the message with those around us, let’s take a moment to test the soil; then let’s prepare the soil… with love.
GOING DEEPER:
1. Have you been wanting to share what you know about Jesus with a friend? Today, ask God how you can nurture them in preparation for that, knowing that ultimately it is the Holy Spirit who changes hearts.
FURTHER READING:
Lisa has been married to Ted for 20 years and they have two teenage sons. Lisa administers Fresh Start’s Facebook and blog, and loves hanging out with and impacting teenage girls for Christ.
