Tonight we looked at the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-23) with the children, who happily gave out ‘seeds’ (aka fake snowballs) to adults in the congregation and then actually got to plant their own seeds. (Hopefully we will have cress to see as a result!)
The farmer threw seed all over, but seed on rocky ground or paths did not grow well. Thorns choked the seeds and plants did not grow there. But on good soil, a good crop was seen. In the same way, God’s word can fall on hard hearts, worried hearts or hearts too preoccupied with the cares of the world for it flourish. We need to prepare our hearts to receive God’s word and to act on what we hear.
Just as we need to receive God’s words in our hearts, we need to be prepared to scatter that word to all and sundry. It’s not up to us to decide what kind of soil we see; people may or may not receive God’s word, but it is still our responsibility to pass it on to all.
