“Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned” (Hebrews 6:7-8 NIV).
The persecutions and difficulties of life identify the next soil type in Jesus’ Parable Of The Sower…
“The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word” (Mark 4:16-17 NLT).
The seed that falls upon the rocky soil represents those who initially accept the truth of God’s Word and begin to follow Christ. But when difficulties arise, or others start to criticize their spiritual commitment, things change. Like a young plant in shallow soil, those who fall into this category begin to wilt as soon as others bring the heat.
“Others are like the seed scattered among the thorny plants. These are the ones who have heard the word; but the worries of this life, the false appeal of wealth, and the desire for more things break in and choke the word, and it bears no fruit” (Mark 4:18-19).
We can associate the soil in this portion of Jesus’ parable with the “thorns and briers” mentioned here in Hebrews 6:7-8. This soil represents those who accept the Gospel, but later allow the desire for wealth and possessions to assume greater priority. Much like an aggressive thorn bush that chokes out a desirable plant, these individuals “… are fooled by the desire to get rich and to have all kinds of other things. So the message gets choked out, and they never produce anything” (Mark 4:19 CEV).
That brings us to the final soil type in Jesus’ parable…
“The seeds that fell on good ground are the people who hear and welcome the message. They produce thirty or sixty or even a hundred times as much as was planted” (Mark 4:20 CEV).
The “good soil” represents those who receive the Word of God and commit to it. These individuals then become farmers who introduce others to Jesus and His teachings. Such people “bear fruit” for God- up to a hundredfold in some cases.
In explaining this parable, Jesus advises us to, “Consider carefully what you hear…” (Mark 4:24). Those who fail to reflect upon this teaching will receive no benefit from it, and as Jesus also reminds us, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear” (Mark 4:9).