Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.
Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.

When I think about the seed growing in soil, there is a whole process that takes place before you see the sprout. First, the seed needs water in order to germinate. Add to that nutrients from the soil for its roots to begin to grow. Then add sunshine, once the plant starts to show, so that the sun can provide warmth and nutrients, as well. The photosynthesis process begins. There is actually a lot of work that happens with a seed in good soil. The roots must grow deep in order to feed the plant so it can produce fruit. The plant must stay healthy above ground in order for it to produce fruit, as well.

The parallel here to the Christian life is key. The seed is the Word of God. It gets planted in the heart, or soil, of the unbeliever. In order for it to grow well and produce, it needs a few components:
1) Nutrients in the soil, or a fertile heart.
2) Water from a gardener is also needed. This might be represented by the investment of other Christians and those God puts in community with the new believer. This might look like the discipleship process.
3) The sun is required. This source of heat and nutrients could be compared to the work of God in our hearts, through the Holy Spirit. We must stay in communication and dwell with God through the Holy Spirit by prayer and reading the Bible.

All of these things work together to create a healthy and well-rooted plant — a plant that will produce quality fruit. The farmers in Jesus‘ time would have recognized that these components and this process is required, along with the fertile soil.

The seed that is scattered along the path is eaten up by the birds, the seed that is planted in rocky soil does not develop roots, and the seed that is planted among the thorn bushes is choked out by the things of this world. These three seeds represent the easy way, or the path that is wide, in life. Not much initial good work is required of seed on the path, or seed that does not need to grow roots, or seed that cannot grow because of thorn bushes.

When we think about the Christian life, it is not all about an emotional decision at one point in time to follow Jesus. It is clearly more involved than that. What is required is the hard work of having a fertile heart, receiving the watering and investment of others through discipleship, and dwelling with God in daily time with him.

Jesus warned his followers about the sacrifices of following him. He tells the story of a man getting ready to build a tower. And he asked the question: Would he not consider the cost before he begins building? And then he tells a story about a man going to war, and he asked the question: Would he not consider if he had enough troops to be able to engage in the battle and win the war? Then he says this: “In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.” (‭‭Luke‬ ‭14‬:‭33‬)

I have found that following Jesus requires everything I have, more than I think I have, and the resolve to let him do his work in my heart when it’s uncomfortable, painful, and requires that I admit my insecurities and my weaknesses. When I do this, I gain access to the power — the MIGHTY POWER of Jesus Christ! This is the same power by which he was raised from the dead (see Eph. 1:19-20).

Lord Jesus, thank you for walking in person first this life, that you call us to walk on earth. Thank you for modeling the faithfulness and love that you call us to, as well; and thank you for standing on the truth of God’s Word. You are the Word of God. When I’m caught in a battle or a challenge, help me to realize that this is your way of letting me experience situations that will draw me closer to you and make me more like you. Help me to view others involved from your perspective. And I pray that you’ll teach me to understand the meaning of this verse more and more: “Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.” (‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭24‬) Amen.