What Seed Are You?
In the New Testament, we see parables used in many instances. Jesus spoke parables for many reasons. For example, he challenged his disciples and those who listened to him, offered spiritual truths to believers who could discern their meaning, and confused non-believers. It also helped him relate the good news of the kingdom to everyday life. One parable in particular is the parable of the sower, found in Matthew chapter 13.
“A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no roots. Other seeds fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty, or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
From a non-believer standpoint, Jesus spoke about farming or growing plants. The wisdom he offers people who open their hearts and minds to receive is incredible. To this day, Jesus is the best teacher, not only for his wise parables but also for his undying faithfulness to us. Don’t worry if you don’t understand the parable of the sower at first glance, the disciples also had to ask Jesus what it meant.
“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty, or thirty times what was sown.”
In summary, four types of people receive the messages of the kingdom. This also relates to why he used parables in the first place and what it means to plant a seed in someone. Those who could not understand what he was saying would be easily tempted by the devil and not walk righteously. Others believe what is spoken about the kingdom but are still easily tempted after forgetting and not rooting their lives in faith. Then people who believe in the truth and understand it drown it out with worries of millions of other things. Finally, people who wholeheartedly hear and understand the truth. They walk and crave righteousness and they spread the truth to multiply the kingdom.
I have personally experienced every type of seed that Jesus mentions. Early on in my life, I’d go to church not understanding the depth of how life-changing being in a relationship with Jesus would be. Then some time later, I went to a Bible camp and loved what I learned but would short-term devote myself to Christ. Growing up and still believing in God but sinfully thinking I had to manage all of these stressors by myself. I couldn’t see how much bigger God was than my problems so 100% of the time, my problems choked out my faith. FINALLY, here I am, completely devoted to Jesus, challenging myself to embody him, walk in his ways, and share the good news of his sacrifices for us.
This parable isn’t necessarily about a faith life-cycle, but I couldn’t help but relate it to my own journey as each type of seed. I pray that anybody who reads this can find themselves to be the seed that falls on good soil. If you’re not there yet, that doesn’t mean it’s hopeless. I urge you to re-read the parable from the perspective of evaluating what type of seed you are. This will help you see what areas in your life you might need to ask God to help you work on.
