Matthew 13:18-23
“But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” vs. 23
While we often call this the “Parable of the Sower” a good case can be made for calling it the “Parable of the Soils,” since that’s really the focus of Jesus’ interpretation. He implies that only about twenty-five per cent of those who hear the word really “get” it, an observation that is likely shared by most pastors. Indeed if we were to take a good look at most congregations, that twenty-five per cent figure might even seem high. And if we were to include in our reckoning all the baptized, those lower numbers are probably right on. The truth is that the church has a lot more drop-outs than committed followers of Jesus. But this doesn’t even seem to be discouraging to Jesus…and he doesn’t tell his disciples that they have to work harder to save people from the birds, rocks, or thorns. Instead he tells them that the minority who do “get” it will produce abundantly, far more than could even be imagined. We see that truth lived out every day. Those who hear the word and understand it bring light and life and love to everyone around them. They work for justice and peace, lift up the lowly, and provide assistance for the poor. They are the yeast that provides leaven for the whole earth.
Thought for the Day: Which of the four soil categories describes me?
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