SEED

At one point in His ministry, Jesus sat in a boat and addressed a large crowd gathered on the shore ... 

Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.  Matthew 13:3-8

A great division was taking place in the hearts of those who listened that day. Christ had revealed Himself as the Messiah by performing many miracles and sharing inspired teachings ... so the gulf between believers and nonbelievers was widening. It was not yet time for His betrayal and crucifixion so parables were used to reveal the truth to those who earnestly sought it. But to the people who defiantly rejected the idea that Jesus could be the Son of God, those parables were just meaningless riddles. 

Privately, Jesus patiently explained the parable to His disciples ... 

Therefore hear the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.  Matthew 13:18-23

Jesus’ explanation of the Parable of the Sower highlighted four different responses to the Gospel, the last of which resulted in a changed life ... therefore representing the only one who was saved. 

Remember pilgrim; the seed is not the problem. The message of the cross is received or rejected according to the ground upon which it lands. 

Guzik - The sun that softens wax hardens clay. So the very same gospel message that humbles an honest heart and leads him to repentance, may also harden the heart of a rebellious listener and confirm that he is on the path of disobedience.

When you share the Gospel, be careful that you do not judge your efforts in light of man's response to it ... whether it be good or bad. 

Don't take pride in a converted soul, or blame for one who turns away.