Jesus identified one of His parables as the key to understanding all the parables (Mark 4:13). The parable was the one dealing with soils, seeds, and sowing. The seed is “the word of the kingdom” (Matthew 13:19), and the soil is the heart into which the seed is sown. If the heart is receptive, the seed can bear fruit thirtyfold, sixtyfold, or a hundredfold (verse 23).

Jesus’ focus in the parable was on the soil (the heart). The better the condition of the heart, the more abundant will be the spiritual harvest. The apostle Paul wrote that our harvest will be commensurate with our sowing (Galatians 6:7). Sow sparingly, and you will reap sparingly. Sow bountifully, and you will reap bountifully (2 Corinthians 9:6). When we sow the Word of God into our heart, the spiritual fruit in our life will depend on the amount of seed sown and the condition of our heart.

Jesus identified this parable as important for a reason: that we might keep our heart prepared to receive as much of the Word as possible.

As seed is made for soil and soil for seed, so the heart is made for God’s truth and God’s truth for the heart. 
Richard Glover