Precious Seed

"They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." (Psalm 126: 5, 6)

What is this "precious seed"? What kind of "seed" is it? Why is it "precious"? Who are the sowers of this precious seed? What is the fruit of it? Who are the reapers of the fruit? Why do the sowers of this special seed sow "in tears" and "with weeping"? What makes the reaping of the fruit of the seed an occasion of joy?

"And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable: A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." (Luke 8: 4-8)

"Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God." (vs. 11)

God's word is seed, truly precious seed. That portion of it that is called "gospel," that reports the news of the way of salvation through Christ, is most precious, that word that Jesus called "the gospel (word) of the kingdom."

This gospel of Christ, and of his kingdom and salvation, is not heard or received alike by those who are blessed to hear it. The four grounds speak of four kinds of hearts, four kinds of hearers of the gospel. Those who hear the gospel without honesty and sincerity of heart, will not be eternally benefited by it. Only those who receive the heavenly message with an "honest and good heart" will be eternally benefited by it.

"And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come." (Mark 4: 26-29)

Christians are by definition those who have received this "precious seed" into their hearts, which Lord God, by his Spirit, prepared for its planting. Cultivation of the soil precedes the planting and Lord God prepares the heart of sinners for his word. He humbles the heart, softens it, as a man breaks up the clods of soil in preparation for planting.

Once sinners receive this "precious seed," they become a "planting" of Lord God. They who receive the gospel of the kingdom are themselves called "good seed" and "the children of the kingdom" (Matthew 13: 38).

"But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up." (Matthew 15: 13)

Such heavenly plants, the products of heavenly seed, are "called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified." (Isaiah 61: 3)

As young spiritual sprouts, they will begin to grow and bear fruit, in stages, till they are fully ripe, fully matured spiritually.

Gospel broadcasters and reporters are planters of this precious seed of the gospel. But, they are also cultivators, and plowers, and thankfully, reapers.

"Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. " (I Corinthians 3: 5-9)

"Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours." (John 4: 35-38)

All Christians and gospel ministers are, in one degree or another, sowers and reapers in respect to this precious seed, and this glorious work of spiritual planting, and there is much toil, sweat, and sorrow connected with sowing, but what great joy to experience harvest! The tears spring from seeing so many reject the gospel or receive it without honesty of heart, to see the seed fall on unproductive soil, to see no fruit produced.

Here are some good verses for all who work with this precious seed and with the spiritual plantings of Jehovah.

"As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness." (II Corinthians 9: 9, 10)

"...him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward." (Proverbs 11: 18)

"For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." (Isaiah 55: 10, 11)

"Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you." (Hosea 10: 12)

"But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully...Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness." (II Corinthians 9: 6)

Friends, have you received this "precious seed"? Have you asked the Lord to prepare your heart by breaking it up? Have you asked him to "open your heart," as he did to Lydia (Acts 16: 14) so that you might thereby "receive" with honest and good heart this saving message, which is "able to save your soul"? (James 1: 21)