Our daily reflections follow the M'Cheyne Bible reading plan, designed for those who want to read the whole Bible in one year. Each reflection focuses on one of the chapters from that day's readings. Darllenwch rhain yn Gymraeg.
Lord, prepare me to receive your word. Clear my mind and warm my heart. Assure me of your loving purposes for me, and speak into my life today.
The Parable of the Sower is one of the best-known of all Jesus' stories. It's graphic and powerful, with a simple message: some people will respond to the word of God and some will not, because they are hard, shallow or easily tempted. It explains a lot about why proclaiming the gospel can be so hard and why we can see so few rewards.
It also raises a good number of questions. Why are some people 'good soil' – is it their upbringing, or something built in to their natures? After a quick reading, the parable might be thought of as being rather bleak: people just are what they are, and if they happen to be the kind of person that isn't interested in religion, that's just too bad.
There may be a practical point here about where Christians might direct their evangelistic resources – some audiences are 'warmer' towards faith than others. But we mustn't forget a broader point: that God never gives up on anyone.
One of the very first images we have of God is that he is a gardener. Gardeners cultivate the soil to make it more receptive to the seed and more fertile. Hard ground can be softened; shallow soil can be enriched; weeds can be pulled out.
We're called to be co-workers with God. How can we work in our own culture to prepare the ground for his word?
God, show me where I can help to ease someone's burden or take away the cares that keep them from Christ. Show me how I can change a small part of the world to make it more receptive to your words of life.
This reflection was written by Mark Woods, Bible Society's Editor
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