THE FOUR SOILS

The Parable of the Sower is one of the most interrupted of Jesus’ teachings. For example in the Luke 8 account it begins with: “He (Jesus) was going about from one city and village to another, proclaiming and teaching the Kingdom of God.” (8:1) Next, he healed some people “of evil spirits and sicknesses.” (v.2) Then he spoke to a “great multitude the Parable of the Sower.’ (v.4)

In this famous Parable we learn that seed is sown on four kinds of soil: “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it. And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold.” (vs.5-8) The Lord then explained the Parable. “The seed is the word of God.” (v.11) This is the most important part of understanding this Parable: The Seed is the Word of God.

Then each Soil Type or person type is explained: “Those along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.” (v.12) “And those on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away.” (v.13) “And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.” (v.14) “As for the seed in the good soil, these are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.” (v.15)
It should not surprise us that most people reject the Gospel of the Kingdom and Christianity. This is easily seen in the Parable of the Sower where only one out of four seeds fall on good soil. Most of the seeds die and fail to grow and produce any lasting fruit. We just keep sowing.

“God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed.” Jesus