By Pastor Steve Nickodemus

The Good Soil

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“Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop – a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
Matthew 13:8 New International Version

Preparing a seed bed is crucial for every farmer who wants good germination for his new plants and an abundant harvest.  Here Ron is using a set of discs, spring teeth, and rollers to break up the hard soil where he wants to plant wheat.  So much depends on the quality of this soil!

Jesus knew all about good soil and poor soil.  In the story of the Sower, He explains that seed that falls upon hard or shallow or weedy soil will not produce a good crop.  But soil that is properly prepared, a seed bed that is deep and fine and weed free, will produce an abundant harvest.

Jesus is not talking merely about a wheat crop in this story.  He is talking about the souls of men and women, about those who will come to believe on His name and be saved.  For many to come to Him, to believe on Him, their hearts must be ready and open and willing to hear the Good News of salvation, to put their faith in Him alone, and to remain faithful and grow as His disciples.  For hearts to be ready, they must be prepared by the Word of God and the Holy Spirit.  And  believers in Jesus must faithfully prepare the seed bed of the heart.

This is a process.  Few people believe the first time they hear.  Just as in preparing soil with multiple passes to break up the ground, so souls must be encouraged and taught and prepared with winsome conversation and witness by other believers.  The seed bed of the heart must be patiently and lovingly prepared and those who witness must not grow weary in their work.  Only then will there be many who believe and an abundant harvest for eternity.

Lord, send out many laborers into the field of this world.  Give them patience and endurance and love in preparing the seed bed of hearts.  Holy Spirit, work by Your mighty Word to bring a great harvest!  Amen.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church Colorado Springs, Colorado