Luke 8:1-15 What to Do in Faith's Springtime

8. Still others fell on good soil, and when they grew, they produced a hundredfold." As He said these things He called out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"

On this first day of March, we begin with the parable of the sower. This seems like the perfect message for springtime. We might title it "The Parable of the Sower" or "The Seed Fallen on Four Types of Soil."

The title depends on our perspective.

From the sower's perspective, the condition for sowing seeds is not whether the field is good or bad. Seeds are sown on both good and poor soil alike.

If we think of the sower as one who spreads the gospel, it means sharing the good news with everyone. The gospel is proclaimed without distinguishing between "good" or "bad" people.

From the soil's perspective, only good soil can bear fruit for harvest. No matter how carefully a farmer prepares and sows good seeds, they cannot grow or bear fruit on hard-packed paths, rocky ground, or among thorns.

If we think of the soil as those who hear the gospel, we must cultivate our hearts well. When we receive the seeds of the gospel, we must nurture our hearts to become soil where those seeds can take root and grow.

We are all both sowers spreading the gospel and fields receiving it.

As those who spread the gospel, we should scatter the seeds diligently without discriminating between different types of "soil." As those who receive the gospel's seeds, we must cultivate godly lives through prayer and the Word, making Jesus Christ the center of our hearts.

Gracious God, let us sow the seeds of the gospel with care like farmers in the new spring, and help us cultivate our hearts so that the seeds may take root and grow. Holy Spirit, make us strong and courageous. Amen.