We have a famous parable in today’s reading, the parable of the sower, which describes four types of soils.

Jesus explains this one to us, so we know what it’s about. We don’t have to figure it out.

He explains it to His disciples because they ask Him what it means. Why is that important?

We also get in this section a quote from Isaiah about how this people see but don’t perceive, hear and not understand. Jesus says they are given parables, lest they should see and hear and understand and repent.

Does God not want them to repent?

The Bible tells us that God wants all to repent (2 Peter 3:9) so that can’t be it. Why don’t they see and hear and understand? Verse 15 tells us why.

“For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed.”

They have closed their eyes. They don’t want to see. Their hearts have grown dull. They have lost their ability to hear; I would guess through lack of use, lack of listening to God. They didn’t ask Jesus what the parable meant. Would Jesus have turned away someone seeking truth?

He would have explained. He did explain to those asking. They are ones with good hearts, good soil for God’s word to be planted.

A heart that doesn’t care to hear and understand what God is saying has some bad soil and isn’t going to produce a good crop.

What’s in your heart?

Is it hard? Is it open to receive God’s love, instruction, correction?

Is it shallow? Is it too busy looking at self to keep focused on Jesus?

Is it concerned about the things of the world? Is it too worried about what you want and need (self’s interests) to be concerned for the cause of Christ and the dying world around you?

Or are you a seeker of truth? Do you come to God and ask questions and want to learn His Word and His ways? If so, there’s a harvest to reap!