The Fruitful Heart

"But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirty fold, some sixty, and some a hundred." (Mark 4:8).

 "And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine," (Mark 4:2)

We see, here, that this doctrine was of Jesus. Jesus was teaching in parables so that people could not receive His message in their minds but through their spirits. The Holy Spirit teaches the Christians all truths.

The human heart is like receptive soil to the seed of the Word of God. Jesus used this analogy in the parable of the sower (see Mark 4:3). The soil that the seed fell on represents four categories of hearers' hearts, four different reactions to the Word of God: the hard heart, the shallow heart, the crowded heart, and the fruitful heart.

First, there is the hard heart, the seed that falls along the roadside. This represents people who hear the Word of God, but never really believe.

 "And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up." (Mark 4:4)

Jesus is the great sower of the seed (Word of God). Not all who hear this Word will receive it. This is an explanation by Jesus about the different way the world and its people receive the Word of God. The sower is the same in all cases (Jesus). The seed (the Word of God) is the same in all cases. It is in the way it is received that is different. Jesus, Himself, would come back and explain in detail what this parable meant, and it will help us in other parables to look for the hidden meaning. Not all who hear the gospel receive it. Satan is depicted as the fowl of the air. Satan has come to steal and destroy the Word.

Then there is the shallow heart. That is the seed that falls on stony ground. This signifies the people who hear the Word of God and receive it with joy, but because there is no root to sustain them, they wither.

"And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:" (Mark 4:5)

"But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away." (Mark 4:6)

All of us who have been in church for any length of time have seen the type of person who is indicated above. An evangelist comes through town, and he is so thrilled with the message he goes down front and makes big commitments to God. In a few days when his friends have laughed at him and he runs into hardships, he falls by the wayside. On fire for God for a few days, but his fire went out.

Next, there is the crowded heart. That is the seed that falls on ground where weeds choke out its growth. Slowly and surely, these people, busy with the cares and riches of the world, just lose interest in the things of God.

"And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit." (Mark 4:7)

These are people who are trying to keep one foot in the world and one in church. They still lust for the things of the world while claiming to be  Christians.

Finally, there is the fruitful heart that receives the Word. The seed falls on good ground and the plants produce a rich harvest.

"But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirty fold, some sixty, and some a hundred." (Mark 4:8).

We see, here, Christians who receive the truth and live daily upright lives. These Christians are in for all of eternity. Troubles and lust of worldly goods will not turn their heads. They will follow Jesus, whatever the cost. These are fruit bearers, messengers who tell others of Jesus and add to God's kingdom to the best of their ability. Some of them just get a few saved, but some of them get hundreds saved. Perhaps, the different amounts have to do with where they are located and how many they have opportunity to witness to.

Also, we can easily see that being someone with a receptive heart is what we all need to be. We not only receive the Word for ourselves, but go out and share it with others and lead them into full knowledge of God and His salvation. Some of us may not come in contact with many people, and we may not produce but 30. Others who have an opportunity to witness to large groups may get a hundred saved. The important thing is to bring as many into the kingdom as you possibly can. Be a fruit bearer for God.

We are the ones who determine what kind of soil our hearts will be. We decide whether we will have a hard heart, a shallow heart, a crowded heart, or a receptive heart. 

This is exactly what James meant when he said, "Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls" (James 1:21).

The Word of God cannot work in our lives unless we have a receptive hearts.

Today's Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the seeds that found their way into our hearts, and for the grace that allowed them to bear fruit in our lives!

May your Word find good soil in our hearts so that we will continue to grow “in every way more and more like Christ” (Ephesians 4.15) and so that we will follow wherever you lead!
Send your Spirit to go before us and to prepare the way in front of us. May people’s hearts be receptive to you so that we may bear much fruit for your kingdom, for your honor and glory! Increase in us, Lord, the faith you have given us, and bring to a harvest worthy of heaven.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. AMEN