1 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.

Farming can be a frustrating experience. Sadly, more farms are being sold. The cost and overhead for the most part has eliminated the way farming has been done. If the produce isn't selling at a decent rate, then you fight with the weather or the length of seasons or the machinery breaking down.

Although farming in Jesus’ day was simpler the farmer also took a gamble. Jesus was a master storyteller. He took what people knew about farming and brought home spiritual concepts, so they could understand. In this parable, He is talking about planting a garden or a field. I like the way He described it, because it is not a sophisticated farm with agricultural technology. He referred to ancient eastern customs of a man from the shores of Galilee carrying a staff, sickle or handmade plow over his shoulders and simply scratching the surface of the ground around him and throwing the seed.

I want you to see what happened when a Sower began to sow seeds on four different types of soil. Through these four types of soils, we will see four responses to the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Prayer: O Father God, how I love Your Word.   Every Word in it guides my life.   Teach me through these days of planting devotions to learn to sow in the best soils.   Lord, cultivate the soil areas of my life that I am to sow in that the seeds will spring up and bear abundant fruit.   I love You, Lord.