This week we're looking at a well known parable - the parable of the sower - the guy who goes out and throws the seed all over the place letting some land on the path, or the rocks, or with the weeds, as well as on the good soil. If you're a gardener, you'll know that the quality of the soil will affect how well your plants grow. That's why I keep worms - to make compost - to improve the soil...
But of course Jesus is not giving us agricultural advice here (Luke 8:1-21). He's reminding us of what we may have already experienced - that when we try and share God's love with people we get a whole variety of responses. Some reject the message outright, others seem interested for a while and then drift away, others become enthusiastic followers themselves. The point? Not to be discouraged when the message is rejected - but keep on sowing the seed, because some will land on good soil.
But what about me? How well do I listen to God's truth? Proper hearing in this passage involves retaining and persevering in doing - putting what we hear into practice. Jesus seems to be saying here that this kind of hearing isn't automatic, but it takes some effort on our part. It takes a conscious act of the will to choose to listen to God, to choose to try and work out how something applies to me, to choose not to allow other distractions to get in the way, to choose to do the right thing...
It takes effort to cultivate good soil but the result of that hard work is a fruitful harvest.
