Do you look out into a clear field with expectations of having an apple? Of course not, there is no apple tree from which to take an apple. In fact the field has no capacity to bear an apple.
But if you were to plant an apple seed, then you could have expectations of some day eating an apple, because the capacity to produce an apple would be present. Yet even at this point there is no tree to bear an apple, only a seed. The seed is dead, because a seed must first be dead before it can be quickened into a tree. The seed must also be watered before it can sprout into a tree. But even at this point there are no apples, and will not be for some time, because the tree will remain barren until it has grown strong enough to bare the burden of the fruit. Once the tree begins to bear fruit it is a wonderful and glorious thing.
In this parable the open field is one who is not born again. This person is without any capacity to bear fruit as described in John 3:2.
The planting of the seed is an example of regeneration. It is immediate and provides the capacity needed to sprout into a fruit bearing tree for God. Without the seed the person does not have the necessary capacity to bear fruit. Even though the seed is dead, it provides the capacity necessary. This person is described as one who is dead in Christ, because he has been translated into the kingdom of Christ, but has not been spiritually awakened.
The watering of the seed is hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ. This can be as simple as observing the characteristics of those who follow Christ, for this is there testimony of the gospel. The more the person hears the gospel, the closer he becomes to being spiritually awaken from his slumber.
As the gospel is accepted, the seed begins to sprout and grow into a tree. This is why Jesus said that it is the Spirit that quickens, the flesh profits nothing. It is the seed that sprouts into a tree and the soil has no contribution. This is an example of conversion and is the spiritual birth or awakening that is required before one can begin to bear fruit. This is also known as being born of the gospel. The dead seed has turned into a living tree.
The growth of the tree will be determined by the soil. If the soil is rich in good things, then the tree will grow strong. This is why one must subdue the old nature and put away it’s filth. We need to provide our tree with the best soil possible, by putting away the old life that we have known, and living the new life we have come to know and understand. This person is referred to as a new creature, because he has put away the old life he previously knew, and has become a new person living in righteousness, being guided by the leadership of the Holy Spirit. According to Galatians 6:15, being a new creature is far more important than anything else we can do. The tree is growing and begins to become apparent to those around the person that something has changed. It is the first outward manifestations of the seed that God planted. This is why we cannot know the heart of a man, whether he is a child of God or not, until the tree breaks free from the covering of the soil.