Hello everyone,
Welcome back to Part 9 of our series, The Sower’s Seed. In this post, we continue our journey through Matthew 13. We examine how the profound message of the seed unites us as believers and brings transformation to our lives.
In the journey of faith, how we respond to God’s Word defines our relationship with Him and His Kingdom. Jesus, through the parable of the Sower, categorizes our hearts into four distinct types of ground. These types are the pathway, rocky places, thorns, and good soil. Each ground reflects a different way in which we receive and understand the message of God. But how can we ensure that we are cultivating good soil in our hearts and lives?
In this article, we’ll explore what these four grounds represent and how they challenge us to dig deeper into the Word of God. If you missed last week’s post, The Context of Man and the Earth, make sure to check it out!
In the previous article, we explored the ground where the Sower’s seed falls. We also examined the nature of the “receiving grounds.” Man was created for the Church, but it goes deeper. Our very existence was meant for the Church, the Kingdom of God. We constantly find ourselves battling between our divine purpose and our earthly desires. Who do we truly represent—God or man? This question lies at the heart of our spiritual struggle. It defines our journey as beings created to worship the Creator within His Church.
Today, we’ll focus on the subject: “The Matter of the Heart: Cultivating Good Soil.” We’ll explore the nature of the receiving grounds that the Sower’s seed fell on.
Scripture Reference
18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” – Matt 13:18-23
The Parable of the Sower
The Parable of the Sower illustrates the seed that God intended for Jesus to plant in the world. Jesus outlined four different types of receiving grounds of the earth. Each type of ground symbolizing the condition of our hearts. These various grounds represent the different states of our hearts, showing how we each receive the message in different ways. Before revealing the nature of the seed itself, Jesus described the different types of soil. He did this to help us understand the varying conditions of our hearts.
The condition of our hearts plays a crucial role in how we receive the message of the Kingdom. The nature of the human heart is truly remarkable. God revealed our true selves before setting us on our paths. Jesus spoke about the nature of our hearts – the soil that receives His Word. These qualities shape who we are and offer insight into what the Kingdom of God is truly like.
How Do We Become the People God Created Us to Be?
The story of the Sower’s seed serves to guide us back to the Potter’s house, as described in Jeremiah 18:1-11. The seed is meant to lead us to the Potter’s wheel, where God shapes us. His message about the Kingdom of God breaks and moulds us into new vessels that reflect His likeness. God created humanity with a purpose: to bring His Kingdom in heaven on earth (See Matthew 6:10). His image in us is meant to reflect His glory on earth. Our work as mankind is to manifest God’s presence through our worship. Bearing God’s image on earth is the work of the Holy Spirit. He directs our paths on earth and restores us to God’s presence.
God’s Word is the source of true peace and restoration in our lives. It is powerful and transformative, building a foundation that strengthens us in every season. In our most desperate moments, it is God’s presence that lifts us up and brings us hope. When you are in need, watch how God moves. He sends His Word in various ways to reach you and bring comfort.
As beings made in His image, our response to His Word should be genuine and spontaneous. We love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19-21). However, the Bible also reminds us that the human heart is prone to wickedness from a young age. Over time, our hearts can harden and become even more rebellious (Genesis 8:21). But through His Word and love, we are offered transformation and renewal.
When we talk about Christ and the Church, we often forget our role in both. We are the vessels God created in His image, and because of that, we must worship Him with all our hearts. This is the true message of the cross. Carrying the burden of the cross means carrying the church on your shoulders. You cannot walk away from God’s Church and worship elsewhere. You must wear the Cross of Calvary on your heart, always.
Wherever you go, people should see the sign of Calvary on you — the fruit of the Spirit. We don’t worship God just with our words, but with every part of our being. You can’t cry out to the Lord without first worshiping Him. Worship always comes first. You can’t call on the Lord and not have faith in Him. You can’t sing songs to the Lord and then live your life any way you want.
The resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate sign that we are the reflection of Christ. We can’t wear something we don’t believe in. We must wear Christ proudly, showing Him to the world. As God’s creation, we are made in His own image. We are called to worship Him with all our hearts. This holds true no matter the circumstances. The Cross of Calvary should be evident in our lives, regardless of our mental state. We must believe in the One who died on the cross for us. Our hearts should overflow with love for the Lord.
From one generation to the next, we are called to worship the Lord with sincere faith. But how can we experience God’s glory without faith? It’s impossible! Faith is the key that unlocks His glory in our lives. So, how can we expect to receive God’s blessings if we don’t have faith? It is through His glory that His favour is poured out upon us. If we are teaching the church to love, we must show them how to love. We must show them how to love with the blessings of God in their lives. We cannot love without His blessings. Love, without His blessings, is incomplete. His blessings are intertwined with His love.
We are called to love with all our heart.
We carry the Cross of Calvary within us (Luke 9:23, Mark 8:34, Matthew 16:24).
And how did we receive Jesus?
The Receiving Ground
As the Sower scattered His seed, it fell on different types of ground. Some fell along the path, others in rocky places, some among thorns, and some on good soil. The seed was intended for all the people, as it touched each of these four types of ground. The seed belongs to God. It represents what He gave to humanity in the Garden of Eden. This was before man sinned against Him (See Genesis 2:9). When we talk about the Kingdom of God in its fullness, we reflect on the condition of our hearts. We consider the varying states in which they find themselves.
In Jesus’ explanation of the Parable of the Sower to both the crowd and His disciples, He revealed the condition of their hearts. The seed of the kingdom was scattered on four types of ground:
Along the Path (v.19)
This type of ground represents the heart of anyone who hears the message of the kingdom of God. However, they fail to understand it. As a result, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart.
The Rocky Places (vv.20-21)
This ground represents the heart of anyone who hears the Word and receives it with immediate joy. However, because they have no root, they endure only for a short time. When trouble or persecution arises due to the Word, they quickly fall away. Why does it lack depth? The seed initially sprouts quickly because the soil is shallow. But when the sun rises, the plants are scorched, and they wither because they have no root.
I’ve looked into how a plant can survive without roots, and the truth is, it can’t. The primary function of roots is to absorb water and nutrients, which are essential for the plant’s growth. Additionally, roots anchor the plant, providing stability and support. In this type of ground, the soil is too shallow to offer the plant the necessary support. Without deep roots, the plant cannot take in the resources it needs to thrive.
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” – Jeremiah 17:7-8
Among the Thorns (v.22)
This ground represents the heart of anyone who hears the Word about the Kingdom. However, the distractions of life take over. The worries and anxieties of daily life, along with the deceitfulness of wealth, choke the Word. These prevent it from bearing fruit. Much like a plant surrounded by thorns, the Word struggles to thrive when it’s suffocated by these concerns. The thorns represent materialistic pursuits, fears, and pressures. These grow alongside the seed. Gradually, they crowd out the life and nourishment the Word needs to flourish. Instead of becoming deeply rooted, the Word is hindered. It is unable to become fruitful and produce the transformation that God desires for our lives.
This is a warning to those whose focus is consumed by worldly things. Their preoccupation causes them to neglect the true richness of God’s Kingdom.
Greed And the Church:
Jesus warned, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” (Luke 12:15)
Why is the church becoming greedy in its walk with God?
Why has the church become greedy with the Word of God?
The church is being greedy with its walk with God. But what does that mean? To be greedy with your walk in God means having an insatiable desire to gain more for personal benefit. This is rather than acquiring it for the kingdom of God. Greed has subtly crept into the church, affecting how we live out our faith. But how did this happen? How did we reach this point? We have allowed the pursuit of wealth, power, and personal gain to infiltrate our spiritual lives.
Greed is defined as a strong, selfish desire for more wealth, possessions, power, or control than one truly needs. Jesus specifically warned us about this kind of greed in the Gospel of Luke. He reminded us that life is not measured by the abundance of our possessions. Yet, in the church today, this mindset has often led to a distorted view of what it means to follow Christ. Instead of focusing on humility, service, and generosity, we pursue worldly gain. This pursuit has become entangled with our walk with God.
When the church becomes focused on accumulating more, whether it be wealth, influence, or spiritual status, it shifts the focus. This shift moves away from the true purpose of the Gospel. The Gospel teaches us to love God, love others, and build the Kingdom of Heaven.
“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.” – Colossians 3:5
A selfish desire to possess more than what is needed—this is the reality we are facing in the church today. The church finds itself in a troubling position, seeking to possess powers and influence that were never meant to be ours. Many have allowed the spirit of the world to infiltrate the sanctuary. They are trying to live according to worldly values within the confines of God’s house.
Instead of setting an example of holiness, purity, and selflessness, some churches have shifted their focus. They have become places where worldly desires and ambitions are pursued under the guise of faith. The Word and activities of the church sometimes reflect more of the culture around us than the Kingdom of God.
The church of the Lord was meant to be a sacred space for worship. It was intended to be a sanctuary for discerning and aligning with the will of God. Moreover, it was to serve as a place for transformation. However, when greed, selfishness, and the desire for power enter, they shift the focus away from God’s purposes. These things—greed and selfish ambition—are forms of idolatry, as they place our desires above God’s will. The church is called to be a reflection of Christ, not the world. We must ask ourselves: Have we allowed the culture of greed and excess to redefine our walk with God?
The church may be walking in the path of righteousness, but its soul is in hell. “Walking in the path of righteousness” means walking in alignment with the goodness and holiness of God. But how can we truly walk in the goodness of God while harbouring greed in our hearts? It’s a contradiction that many churches today seem to embody. Our lives, both in the congregation and from the pulpit, are painted with the stains of greed.
Greed has infiltrated the very core of how we do church. It manifests in our desire for more—more influence, more money, more recognition—both from the pews and the pulpit. We have allowed the pursuit of worldly gain to overshadow our spiritual calling. Instead of living in the freedom and humility that comes from walking in God’s goodness, we are walking in the shadow of greed.
Greed has infiltrated the hearts of many within the church, to the point where it’s difficult to distinguish their desires from the will of God. The presence of greed is so pervasive that the innocent are confused. They can no longer discern between what is good and what is evil. We are unable to tell the genuine from the counterfeit because our lives are entangled in deceit. We have allowed deceit to seep into every aspect of our existence. It has become a part of how we live and breathe.
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” – 1 John 2:15-17
What is the will of God for your church? Do you truly know? Often, we act as masters within our churches, yet we fail to understand God’s purpose or will for His church. We gather for church activities week after week. However, how many of us take the time to pray and seek God’s direction for the church? Are we truly walking in His will?
Just because a church hosts mega conferences or large events doesn’t mean it is walking in the will of God. These activities may be impressive, but they don’t necessarily reflect God’s purpose for the church. A church can be busy with programs. However, that doesn’t guarantee it is following the path that God has set before it. We must constantly ask ourselves: Is our church truly walking in God’s will? Or are we merely walking a path that seems right in our own eyes?
Seek the purpose of God for your church and then move according to that purpose. Today, the name of God is often used in the business of reaching people. However, how often is it for the benefit of man rather than for God’s glory? Is God truly in our hearts? It’s essential to pause and ask yourself, “Is God really in my heart?” Do we fully understand the Word of God before using His name? Or are we guilty of using it in vain? Do we truly grasp the principles of God?
This is where many of us get stuck—understanding and living according to the principles of God. It’s about knowing who God truly is in our lives and allowing that knowledge to guide our actions. Without a deep understanding of who God is and what His will is for us, we risk misusing His name. We risk walking a path that is not in line with His purpose.
“Wealth is deceitful. Greedy people are proud and restless—like death itself they are never satisfied. That is why they conquer nation after nation for themselves.” – Habakkuk 2:5
Although the church is with God, its activities often fall outside the principles of God. We may be walking with God. However, the principles guiding our walk are often aligned with the world. They are not aligned with His Word. While God is with us, we must ask ourselves—is He truly in our hearts? This is the principle we must focus on: walking in the light of God’s Word. Are we aligned with His will? Do we teach God’s Word because it reflects His will, or are we doing it for our own benefit?
Greed has crept into the very heart of the church, influencing everything we do. We often seek our own benefit rather than the Lord’s. The church, once a place of holiness and purpose, is no longer walking in the path of God. Instead, it is heading towards condemnation. Why do we go to church? Is it for our own sake or for the sake of building God’s Kingdom? Your answer reveals the true condition of your heart.
The condition of our hearts is crucial in receiving the message of the Kingdom. The nature of the human heart is profound and complex. Jesus spoke about this very nature. He described the different kinds of ground that our hearts can be, and how it affects how we receive His Word.
The church that was once aligned with the Lord is now heading toward destruction. The church, which is meant to be the bride of Christ, is on a path that leads to ruin. Our actions have become self-centred and driven by cruelty. We pursue money, fame, and the prosperity that often comes with it. Having a large congregation does not define who we are in the Lord. A massive following on social media does not define us. High attendance at events does not determine our identity in the Lord. These are merely distractions—noise, hype, and entertainment—nothing more.
In Revelation 2:12-17, Jesus delivers a direct message to the church in Pergamum. He warns them about the dangers of compromising their faith. Although they have remained steadfast in some areas, they have allowed false teachings and immoral practices to infiltrate their community. This passage serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of remaining true to God’s Word. It also underscores the peril of tolerating sin within the church. Jesus calls for repentance. He urges the believers to turn away from their compromise and renew their commitment to following Him wholeheartedly.
Living the principles of God is walking in His righteousness. Our lives become simpler and more God-fearing as we walk in His will. We create services and works out of our own strength, but our strength should come from the Lord. Our limitations are found in our own abilities. However, God teaches us to appreciate His presence rather than the recognition of man.
God’s will is within us, and we must live within its limits. Let us not bring shame to the church of God or limit its power through worldly works. Greed and selfish ambition will lead us to nothing of value, only to shame before the Lord.
On Good Soil (v.23)
The good soil represents the heart of those who not only hear the message of the Kingdom of God but also truly understand it. This fertile heart receives the Word and allows it to take root, producing a bountiful harvest. Some yielding a hundred, sixty, or thirty times what was originally sown. These individuals are characterized by their willingness to embrace the message, nurture it, and allow it to transform their lives. This results in an abundant spiritual fruitfulness.
The Meeting Place:
When Moses encountered God at the burning bush, God had him by the tail. God sent him to Pharaoh’s house and to the home of Jethro, a priest in Midian. Through these two experiences, God led Moses to understand His love and nature. In both places, God taught Moses about godliness and revealed Himself to him. Through Pharaoh’s house in Egypt and Jethro’s house in Midian, God guided Moses on a transformative journey. He wanted Moses to gain a deeper knowledge of who He is. It was in Midian where God truly showed Himself to Moses.
It took years for God to bring Moses to the place where He met him. From a life of hardship to holy ground, Moses did not arrive there overnight. He had to place his trust in the God who called him from the burning bush—the God of his ancestors. Despite the long journey, Moses arrived at the holy ground still carrying the weight of his past. God called Moses out, and through His voice, Moses cracked the code that had been missing in his life. By listening to God’s call, Moses was led through the lands of Midian to a place where God could reveal Himself. This was the place where God called Moses from the burning bush—a sacred moment. It is the same place from which God calls each of us. He brings us to this realization, drawing us into His presence, where we truly come to understand who He is.
The Place:
God said to Moses, “Do not come any closer. Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. (See Exodus 3:5)” Father Lord, we thank You for Your Word, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
The ground Moses was standing on was called holy ground. But what do we understand by “holy ground”? Why was God calling Moses to this holy ground? Was it Moses’ place to be called here? These are the important questions we must seek answers for.
The place where Moses was instructed to remove his sandals. The place where the burning bush was seen but not consumed—was holy ground. Moses could not approach the burning bush while wearing his sandals. As he stepped into God’s presence, God commanded him to remove them. This was a place where God Himself dwells. It was a place of holiness. This is the place God desires to bring us to—a holy ground. A place of solitude, an uninhabited wilderness where we encounter Him.
This is the place where God brings you to plant the seed of His affection in your heart. It is the ground where He sows His seed, which produces a harvest— a hundred, sixty, or thirty times what was sown. The ground Moses stepped onto was a different dimension of his being. It was where he encountered the reality of who God is. It was the dimension where he experienced the indwelling presence of God. It was like the mustard seed that grows into a great tree, with branches spreading wide.
At this level of purity, God reveals His mind to us and uses us as vessels for His work. In this dimension of purity, we are saved by the Lord. It is here, in this place, that we hear and understand the message of God’s Kingdom. This is the ground in the wilderness that produces a plant with many branches. It is the good soil from the parable of the Sower. The ground that yields a harvest of a hundred, sixty, or thirty times what was sown. This is the very place where God met Moses.
A “bush” is a plant characterized by many small branches growing either directly from the ground or from a woody stem, giving the plant a rounded shape.
But how do we come to this holy ground? Is God calling us to this place? The answers are found in Exodus 3:2-4. Firstly, God revealed Himself to Moses as the blazing fire within the bush, a plant with many branches.
Secondly, Moses observed that the bush was on fire but not consumed. In this, God revealed Himself as a blazing fire among His people, yet they were not destroyed. This speaks to the nature of God—His power, His presence, and His ability to sustain His people without consuming them. This extraordinary sight got Moses’ attention and stirred his curiosity.
Thirdly, the King James Version recounts Moses’ next action: “And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt” (v.3). At this moment, Moses made a decision. He chose to turn from his current position or direction to investigate the manifestation of the fire. He needed to understand why it wasn’t consuming the bush. This was a pivotal moment for Moses. It marked a shift in his mindset, a change in his heart, and a restructuring of his focus.
Why would Moses change his mind about God? He saw something he had never encountered in Pharaoh’s court—love. He had never witnessed such deep affection, a love so powerful that it protects and shields people from harm. The blazing fire that did not consume the bush symbolized not just God’s presence. It also represented His consuming fire against the enemies of His people. This fire defends and preserves those He loves. What kind of love is this? Moses was compelled to inquire about the great sight before him. This revelation stirred Moses to move from a position of passive observation into one of active enquiry. He shifted from a place of unproductivity to a place of deeper understanding and engagement with God.
Fourthly, the moment Moses changed his position, God called him from within the burning bush, and Moses responded. Between the ground of the burning bush and the places where Moses stood to observe, are the other three types of ground. Whenever we come into God’s Presence, we must recognize and honour holiness. But how do we truly observe holiness? In His Presence, there is no residual dust from our past. It is a place where we step into a new dimension of ourselves, where everything we think about and observe is centred on God. We approach His Presence with humility, emptying ourselves of all the places we’ve been and all the baggage we carry.
The word “holy” means “set apart.” God is holy, and if we are to live in His presence, certain things in our lives must change. One of the first changes is our perception of who God is. To live in a way that honours and invites His presence, God expects holiness from His people. Living in God requires holiness. This call to holiness is a recurring theme in Scripture, especially in the Book of Leviticus (Lev. 20:26) and is echoed throughout the Bible (Mark 7:18-19, 1 Peter 1:15-16). Moses understood God’s character and the promise He made to his ancestor Abraham in Genesis 15:13-16.
Moses and His Sandals:
God called Moses to holy ground, grabbing his attention at the place of meeting. He commanded Moses to remove his sandals, symbolizing the limitations Moses carried throughout his life. From the Nile River to Pharaoh’s court, and even to his Hebrew people, Moses had been searching for meaning. He remained unaware of his true identity until he encountered God at the burning bush. The sandals represented the limitations on Moses—his journey of searching and self-discovery.
To come to God, one must approach ageless, vulnerable, and empty, as Moses did. His heart’s position before God tells us the message God wanted to convey. His heart, shaped by his life’s journey, prepared him for this encounter. The Egyptian astrologers predicted Moses’ birth as the deliverer of Israel, but they didn’t know his true origins. Moses’ mother, Jochebed, placed him in a water-proof basket to save his life. She set him afloat on the Nile, unknowingly starting his mission.
Moses’ journeys ultimately prepared his heart to carry out God’s mission. His heart’s condition led him to the holy ground, where the revelation of God awaited.
Moses’ Journey (Acts 7:20-29):
Moses was born in Egypt to Hebrew parents during a time when the Israelites were enslaved by the Egyptians. His journey began when his mother placed him in a basket on the river. She hoped to save him from the Pharaoh’s decree to kill all Hebrew male infants.
Pharaoh’s daughter found Moses, and he was raised in the Egyptian royal household. There, he was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians. However, he was not taught about the God of the Hebrews. As Moses grew older, he discovered his Hebrew heritage. He felt torn between his Egyptian upbringing and his true identity as a Hebrew.
After Moses killed an Egyptian for mistreating a Hebrew, he fled to Midian. In Midian, God called Moses. He settled with Jethro, a priest in Midian, where he married Jethro’s daughter and had children.
To step into holy ground and experience God, you must:
- Worship God Only – Exodus 20:3-5 teaches us that we must honour and serve God alone.
- Know Who God Is – Understand the true nature of God.Â
- Come to a Place Where Everything You Understand Makes No Sense. You may question your identity and purpose like Moses did. But God will reveal Himself to those who seek and are willing to trust Him.
Moses’ journey is a powerful example of how God prepares us through life’s experiences. He leads us to a place of revelation and purpose in His divine plan. Before Moses interacted with God, he first noticed the burning bush. Through this burning bush, God revealed Himself to Moses. The bush, burning but not consumed, symbolized God as the blazing fire. It was through this sign that God began to make Himself known. However, God did not speak to Moses until He had his full attention. The burning bush caught Moses’ eye, but it didn’t transform his life until God revealed Himself. It was then that God introduced Himself by name. He declared Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and as the Great I Am.
As we draw near to the burning bush, God’s plans will be revealed to us. The burning bush represents the tree of life and the unquenchable fire of God—the fire that never fades. The LORD revealed Himself to Moses as the Lord of Fire—the eternal flame that never goes out. Within the tree of life is the fire of God. He dwells among us, and we live in Him.
The Commission:
God saw the suffering of His people in Egypt and heard their cries, so He came down to rescue them. His plan was to:
- Rescue them from the oppression of the Egyptians.
- Bring them out of the land of slavery.
- Lead them into a good and spacious land. It is a land flowing with milk and honey. It is the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. (Exodus 3:8)
These were God’s perfect will for His people. Then, God called Moses to fulfil His mission:
So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt. – Exodus 3:10
Moses’ mission was to lead the lost back to God and fulfill God’s will. However, Moses could not accomplish this mission without God’s presence and guidance. He first passed through the palace of the king of Egypt. Then, he travelled through the land of Midian. Each journey shaped him to fulfil God’s purpose. In Midian, Moses was refined and prepared to understand and align himself with God’s will. It was from this place of spiritual perfection that he returned to the Israelites. He brought them the message of God’s deliverance and led them toward the fulfilment of God’s plan for their lives.
Before Moses encountered God through the burning bush, he was already confronted with doubts about his identity and authority. When he tried to intervene and help his fellow Hebrews, one of them questioned him: “Who made you a ruler and judge over us?” (Exodus 2:13-14). At that point, Moses had not yet encountered God and was uncertain about his role and calling. This moment of questioning highlighted his internal struggle and the uncertainty surrounding his purpose. This would be clarified later when God revealed Himself to Moses and called him to deliver His people.
Moses arrived at the holy ground not fully aware of his spiritual identity. He had walked through the palace of Pharaoh and lived among his Hebrew people, knowing who he was in those contexts. But when he stood in the presence of God at the burning bush, Moses questioned his purpose and identity. “Who am I?” he asked God, “that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” Despite knowing his Hebrew roots, Moses struggled with the command to remove his sandals. This act symbolized the need to let go of all the traditions and identities that shaped him up until that point. In the presence of God, Moses had to confront who he truly was in relation to God’s calling. His question, “Who am I?” reflects his uncertainty about his authority and role in fulfilling God’s mission. He wondered, if he had to leave behind the cultural frameworks of his past, what would remain of him?
Before Exodus 3:4-15, where Moses encounters God through the burning bush, there was Exodus 2:11-14. At that point, Moses is uncertain of his purpose and his role in God’s plan. The experience with the burning bush in Exodus 3 marked a turning point for Moses. It’s one thing to have a calling placed on your life, but it’s another to be called into your destiny. Moses was now prepared and ready to step into the role God had for him. The burning bush moment was when Moses was called into his destiny. It was a moment of transformation where he not only understood God’s will but was also equipped to carry it out.
Walking into your destiny means stepping out in faith. It involves moving forward with confidence and embracing the preparation that God has made in your life. Moses’ journey from uncertainty to fulfilment of God’s plan demonstrates that God’s calling requires transformation and readiness to take action.
The Burning Bush and the Kingdom of God:
The burning bush that did not burn to ashes serves as a powerful symbol of the Kingdom of God. Just as the bush remained unscathed by the blazing fire, the Kingdom of God is a place where God’s presence is mighty and consuming like fire. It does not destroy but transforms. The blazing fire within the bush represents God’s eternal and all-consuming presence. It is one that dwells in us and among us without consuming us.
In understanding who God is within His Kingdom, we recognize that He is the blazing flame of the burning bush. He is transformative, present, and life-giving.
How can I explain to the world the fire that cannot be consumed? The fire that will never be extinguished? The fire that Moses witnessed burning in the bush, the fire of the LORD. How can Moses convey the nature of this fire to God’s people? How can he teach them about the fire of the LORD? How can he reveal to the world who God is—the unquenchable fire of the LORD? How does he help people understand God’s presence among His people through this inextinguishable fire?
Understanding who God is in our midst, He is the unquenchable flame that never fades. He is the resurrection and the life, giving us life through His Son, Jesus Christ. He is our Redeemer and the source of our resurrection. Jesus Christ is the fire in the burning bush, a fire that never burns out. In us, He is the resurrection, and to the world, He is the Son of God. Jesus came to us in the world as the Son of God, but His resurrection brought us faith in God. Among us is the fire of God, the resurrection, constantly alive and present in our lives.
In us is the fire of God, and in the church is the resurrection of the Son. God came to us in the world in the form of His Son, Jesus Christ, and through Him, we received our resurrection. Christ did not come into the world for the sake of mere decoration. He came so that we would have peace, and peace in abundance. Through His life, death, and resurrection, He brought us a peace that surpasses all understanding. This peace fills our hearts and transforms our lives.
How can we distinguish God from His Son when Jesus Christ reflects the exact image of the Father? Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. Whoever comes to the Father through Him will receive everlasting life. He is the embodiment of God’s truth and the living Word. Jesus lives in us, and we live in Him. We cannot fully know who God is until we recognize who Jesus Christ is in our midst. Understanding God’s Word brings light to our souls, revealing the truth of who Jesus is within us. The Word of God is powerful. In our midst, He is the fire that never burns out and never consumes the bush. He is our God on earth. Christ dwells in us, and so does His Word, burning through us like an unquenchable fire.
How Do We Make the Word We Hear Fruitful?
When God described the different grounds, He did so based on His Word, not by the standards of the world. Our understanding of Christ, therefore, must not come from our own perceptions or assumptions. It must come from a deep understanding of God’s Word. The critical question we must ask ourselves is: How well do we truly understand God? How well do we know Him? God has been present in our lives for a long time, but do we really know who He is? He established the world upon His Word, and He has established our lives upon His Word as well. Our understanding of Him is grounded in His Word. It is through His Word that we come to know the truth of who He is.
Therefore, Jesus describes the existence of the four different types of ground based on the Word of God. He gave the following descriptions:
- Ground of the Pathway
- Ground of the Rocky Places
- Ground of the Thorns
- Ground of the Good Soil
Jesus provided these four descriptions and then explained why each ground represents a particular response to God’s Word. The grounds represent us, humanity, and our varying levels of understanding of God’s Word. This is what it’s truly about—living in the world but not fully grasping God’s Word regarding His kingdom. In this way, Jesus classified our hearts into four types of ground. Each type reflects how we respond to and engage with God’s truth.
Conclusion
The four types of ground in the parable of the sower offer us a mirror to reflect on our own hearts and our response to God’s Word. Are we the hard path, unable to accept the message? The rocky ground, easily shaken by trials? The thorny ground, choked by worldly concerns? Or are we the good soil, ready to receive and bear fruit for God’s Kingdom? As we seek to grow in our relationship with God, we must ask ourselves two questions. First, how well do we understand God’s Word? Second, how are we nurturing the soil of our hearts? May we be intentional in cultivating good ground, bearing fruit in abundance for His glory.
Call-to-Action
Take a moment to reflect on your heart today—what type of ground is it? Is God’s Word taking root in your life, or are there barriers preventing it from flourishing? Spend time in prayer, asking God to help you cultivate good soil, ready to receive His Word and bear fruit that lasts. Whether in moments of peace or amidst challenges, choose to allow His Word to guide and sustain you,. In doing so, you become fertile ground for His Kingdom.
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Written by Eunice Forson
Be sure to check out post #10 in our series next week!
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If you missed any of the previous posts in this series, here’s a quick recap:
Over the past couple of weeks in our “The Sower’s Seed” blog series, we’ve discussed…
Introduction to the Series – The Sower’s Seed
Blog Post #1 – The Sower’s Seed: Exploring the Purpose of Parables
Blog Post #2 – Understanding the Scattered Seed in the Parable of the Sower
Blog Post #3 – The Mustard Seed: A Journey of Faith and Transformation
Blog Post #4 – The Fruit that House the Seed
Blog Post #5 – The Nature of the Seed
Blog Post #6 – The Seed and the Church: A Divine Connection
Blog Post #7 – The Power of the Seed: Achieving Peace in the World
Blog Post #8 – The Context of Man and Earth: Who is Man in God’s Image?
The seed 