the soils

But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.

Mark 4:20

Jesus told the parable of the soils in order to teach His disciples how the kingdom would grow as the gospel was preached. Not all who hear the gospel accept and believe the gospel. And not every soil in which the Word is planted will ultimately bear fruit. But the sower still sows.

Some people, caught in the schemes of the Devil, have the gospel plucked from their hearts before it even has a change to germinate into a convicting thought. This is a way the world wars against the gospel. And it isn’t just a post-modern problem. Jesus warned of it in His preaching.

Some people have an emotional reception of the gospel. Jesus says they receive it with joy thinking it to be wonderful good news. But when hardships come because of the gospel, they reject it. They assumed it was all about feel good prosperity. And the truth of endurance makes them swiftly wither away.

Still others seem to hear and believe, but never really “leave” the world’s cares fully for Jesus. And the worldly siren song is louder in their hearts than their praise of their Savior. They are choked silent by the overgrown jungle of materialism, pride, and sensuality. They never thrive because they never let the gospel change their hearts.

The kingdom grows however with fruit bearing disciples. They aren’t lulled by culture, deceived by Satan, or driven by their own emotionality. They believe that Jesus alone is Savior and Lord and that they are sinners made holy ONLY by Him. They follow Him and grow. They too share the seed of the gospel so that their lives may bear fruit for His kingdom, not all to the same degree, but all for the same ends… So Jesus will be glorified and His Kingdom made known!