That Hits Different Sample

That Hits Different 

Have you ever wondered how two people can experience the same situation and hear the same message but walk away with completely different outlooks and outcomes? 

Believe it or not, this was true in Jesus’ day. Jesus’ messages inspired some people while infuriating others. 

Jesus’ words hit different for different people. Why?  

Jesus shared the answer to this question through a parable, which is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. It’s called the Parable of the Four Soils and it’s a parable Matthew, Mark, AND Luke included in their recounts of Jesus’ life. 

The story is about a farmer who spreads seed across four different types of soil, and as a result, experienced four different outcomes. The seed was the same, but the soil was different, and those differences ended up completely changing what happened to the seed.

The seed represents God’s Word. Some people believe the four soils represent four different types of people, but perhaps the soils actually represent different attitudes within our own hearts. For these four days, we’re going to take a closer look at this parable to learn why it’s so important for our relationship with Christ. 

The first soil mentioned in this parable wasn’t really soil at all. Jesus said the seed was thrown onto the road, which was hard ground. You don’t have to be a farmer to know that flowers won’t grow on concrete. 

Since the seed had nowhere to go, it had nowhere to grow.

The problem with seeds that don’t get properly planted is they get quickly plucked. The Bible says the birds came and snatched away the seed from the hard ground. When you tune out during a sermon or intentionally bypass a God-given opportunity, you leave God’s promises unplanted and unclaimed. The hardness of your heart leaves you exposed to an enemy who is out to steal every good thing God desires to give you.  

Could it be that God is speaking to you, but His words have nowhere to go and grow because your heart is hard? Maybe it’s anger, hurts you’re holding onto, or a negative mindset that’s causing God’s message to bounce off your heart rather than take root.

Spend some time today in prayer and ask God to show you what parts of your heart you’ve allowed to become hard. Ask God to soften your heart so it can be transformed into good soil.