. . . speaking to them things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
Acts 1:3
The first kingdom reality explored in yesterday’s devotional is that Jesus is King. The second kingdom reality can be demonstrated in the relationship between the kingdom and the human heart. In the parable classically referred to as “The Sower and the Seed” (Matt. 13:3-23), Jesus reveals that one way the kingdom comes to us is in seed form. The seeds are actually words. Words, like seeds, are small, but when planted and nurtured can bear great fruit.
The soils, Jesus goes on to explain, are the hearts of men (vs. 19). He mentions four types of soil, which are four conditions of the heart. The first soil did not understand. This does not mean to intellectually comprehend words—the word used here in the original language is made up of two words that, put together, mean “coming together for the purpose of going or acting.” When Jesus stated that this soil or condition of the heart did not understand, He is pointing out a heart that will hear but not act on what it hears. This is the difference between a wise man and a fool. The book of Proverbs is filled with descriptions of how a fool does not act on what he hears, but a wise man hears truth and adjusts his life according to the instruction. Fools do not listen to or adjust their lives to the truth; they want to adjust the truth to their lives.
The second soil has no root. The word is received, but when tribulation comes because of the word, the man stumbles (vs. 21). This heart receives and practices the word, but when suffering, trials, or persecutions arise because of the word, this heart stumbles.
The third soil receives the seed, but it is choked out because of the cares of this world (vs. 22). This heart condition welcomes the word and even practices the word but is soon interrupted by the cares of this world. That is the choking. Two conflicting desires are in play: one to receive and practice the kingdom and the other to meet the cares of this world. A person cannot seek first the kingdom of God and their provision and protection at the same time. This heart condition will choose provision and protection.
Finally, the good soil is really a simple heart, one which hears and then practices. Good soil is characterized by being diligent and faithful through trials and persecution and having a humility that does not seek to provide or protect itself. This heart condition produces fruit.
We are responsible for the condition of our hearts. We are to work the soil of our hearts to be receptive to the seeds of the kingdom. All kingdom issues begin as heart issues. This is why we are instructed to “keep watch over your heart with all diligence, for out of it springs the issues of life” (Prov. 4:23).
What is the condition of your heart? Have the words of the kingdom come to you like seeds, but have they been left unpracticed? The “word of the kingdom” can come through the Scriptures, through God’s whisper to our hearts, or through others. Therefore, it is the childlike, the humble, the poor in spirit, and the lowly in heart who bear much fruit! We cannot make ourselves produce fruit that God desires, but we can humble ourselves and prepare our hearts to receive the seeds of the kingdom.
Break up your fallow ground for it is time to seek the Lord.
Hosea 10:12