Greater Harvest Series

Greater Harvest Part 2: The Seeded Field

Introduction

As we continue our “Greater Harvest” series, we’re diving into the four fields of the harvest: the empty field, the seeded field, the sprouting field, and the harvest field. Last week, we discussed the empty field. Today, let’s explore the seeded field.

The Parable of the Sower

Matthew 13:3-9 (ESV):

“A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.”

The parable serves as a mirror, reflecting our lives and revealing the condition of our hearts. Rather than analyzing the story, let’s allow it to speak to us. This parable poses a key question: what kind of ground are we sowing our seeds into?

The Sower and the Seeds

In the parable, the sower could represent Jesus, God, or even ourselves. We are all sowers in our everyday lives, planting seeds through our actions, words, and attitudes. The real question is, what kind of seeds are you sowing? Your seeds reflect your values, priorities, and relationship with God.

The sower in this story sows indiscriminately, not judging the type of soil or ground. This approach challenges us to consider whether we sometimes judge or assign value to people or communities before deciding whether to invest our time and resources in them.

The Sower’s Mission

The sower simply sows. He doesn’t worry about the type of soil or its quality. Likewise, our mission as sowers of God’s Word is to share the gospel without judgment. Our role is not to guard the seed but to sow it. We are called to be sowers, not scarecrows. God does not need us to defend Him; He needs us to represent Him.

Lessons from the Parable

1. Do Not Expect All Seeds to Yield Fruit: This parable suggests that only a quarter of the seeds sown produced a harvest. Not every good deed will come back multiplied. If we act rightly only when we see immediate results, we will soon find excuses to stop. The harvest depends on the soil, not the seed or the sower.

2. The Field, Not the Sower, Determines the Harvest: If a seed fails to produce a harvest, it doesn’t mean the sower is unqualified or the seed is inferior. The parable shows that the soil condition is what changes. The sower remains the same, and the seed remains the same. Therefore, if the harvest doesn’t occur, ensure that it isn’t because no seed was sown.

3. Sowing Requires Effort: Sowing demands attention, time, and energy. It requires effort and sometimes patience. As God reminds us in Galatians 6:9 (ESV), “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up.” A greater harvest can only be realized when we faithfully sow our seeds on good soil.

4. The Seed Holds the Harvest: The seed sown is not the harvest itself, but the potential harvest is locked within the seed. This truth calls us to take our role as sowers seriously, recognizing that within every seed is the potential for transformation and growth.

Becoming a Sower for the Kingdom

This parable isn’t just about farming; it’s about our lives, relationships, and community. It’s about the needs of those around us and the power of sharing the good news of Jesus. The command to sow is a call to action for us to reach out to our community, share the love of God, and sow seeds of hope, love, and truth.

Will you take the bold step this month in becoming a sower for the Kingdom? Will you sow seeds of faith and truth into the lives of those around you?

Closing Thoughts

The seed that you sow today is the beginning of the greater harvest. Let’s be faithful sowers, knowing that while not every seed will yield fruit, every act of sowing brings us one step closer to the harvest God has in store.