We have all tried at one point or another to plant something in poor quality soil. The seed germinates quickly on account of watering, as its own surface retains some moisture. But the soil itself cannot. Water flows through it like a sieve, and the immature plant is quickly in trouble. The root system has not had time to establish itself – it is too small to reach deep enough to find water, and the baby plant soon dries up. That which started so quickly and with such promise, dies before it can grow into anything meaningful.
Jesus takes that experience and makes it into a profound spiritual lesson, “The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.”
In Jesus’ parable, the seed of the message of the Kingdom is the same as that which falls elsewhere. The lack of fruitfulness is not the fault of the sower, nor the fault of the seed. The problem was the soil. So also we are all responsible for the condition of our souls. While we don’t get to dictate what we were handed initially as far as life circumstances go, we are all ultimately responsible to tend to the garden of our own soul. For every gardener knows that the fertileness of the soil can be altered. Larger rocks and stones can be dug up. Rich organic matter can be added. In the end, not every kind of plant can grow there, but even the worst soil can be made suitable for some sort of useful vegetation. If we fail to do that we may well miss the opportunity of the message of the Kingdom.
After all, without an appropriate medium to grow in, any plant will fail. Plants need to have roots, and roots need to be able to find water. Just as gravel and sand do not retain water, some people have almost nothing within them for the life-giving message of the Gospel to take root in. They have not cultivated their lives through thought and reflection. They have not let God transform them – either before they received the message or soon after. No foolishness has died in them, no coarseness or pettiness has decomposed into rich organic matter. No stone has been removed. Their ‘life’ is little more than a collection of hard things – grievances and painful habits and rough character. They hear the message of the Kingdom and initially respond positively, but there is nowhere in their soul for the message to take root. The water of the Spirit passes and in a moment it is over. That which showed such promise dies the moment the sun bears down and the heat gets turned up.
There is of course still hope for those without good soil. With enough water and nutrients, plants can grow without soil. When they are constantly in the presence of the Spirit, even the hardest and most unhospitable soul can eventually set down roots deep enough to become a fruit-bearing vine.
This is one of the inherent values of the assembly of God’s people. Wherever they gather, the Spirit of God is present – so when they gather around the soul who is ‘rocky places’, there is a hope of restoration!
Tending the soil of the heart includes keeping the heart pure so the listener can see God.
Vern Heidebrecht
APPLICATION: Intentionality
How is the soil of your heart?