The Parable of the Sower
Posted on: 2011/01/31 | Author: System Administrator - 0 Comments
Jesus' parable begins with a sower sowing his seeds. The seeds scatter and fall into four different environments: some fall by the wayside, some land on stony places, some among thorns, and some on good ground. Jesus explains the meaning, "Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower." (Matthew 13:18-23) The seed represents the word of God, and the different grounds represent the different states of the human heart. Having been planted in the soil, the seed then experiences different growths, depending on the different conditions of the soil. Which ground describes you? How have you experienced a planting of the word of God?
The first scenario mentioned is the seed that falls by the wayside. “When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the wayside” (Matthew 13:19). When a seed is sown by the wayside, there is no chance for it to grow. The wayside is the side of the road on which people walk; so the seed, before it can even settle into the ground, is trampled and stepped on by the numerous steps and stomps of people passing by. Before the seed of the Word of God can plant itself in the person's heart, they are trampled and swept aside by the flow of public opinion. The truth is not given a chance to be questioned; the person rather blindly follows the popular belief. Therefore, the people whose hearts are like the wayside hear the word of God, but understand and receive it not.
The second type of ground is the stony places. “But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended” (Matthew 12:20-21). When a seed is planted in stony places, it is able to sprout and begin to grow, but because the ground is hard, the seed is not able to be rooted deeply in the ground. When strong winds blow or the sun burns hot, the plant is uprooted and scorched; it then withers away. People whose hearts are like the stony places are those who receive the truth and believe in it "with joy." But the truth is not planted deep into their hearts. When trials come and patience is needed, the truth does not last, for the person has not entered into a deeper experience within his walk. Therefore, the people who are like the stony ground receive the Word of God, but fade and wither away because of their experience.
The third type of ground relates the most unfortunate situation. “He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful” (Matthew 13:22). The seed planted among thorns is the saddest because it was so close to bearing good fruit, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choked it to death. If you have ever planted something, you should know that though weeds seem to grow in the ground very quickly and easily, they are very hard to take out because the weed’s roots become tangled with your plant’s roots. But if the weed is not uprooted, it ends up taking all of the plant’s nutrients and eventually kills the plant. In the same way,the cares of this world and its riches take our eyes off of Jesus and cause the Word of God to lose power in our hearts. This is why we are reminded numerous times in the Bible to “love not the world, neither the things that are in the world” (1 John 2:15) and to “not conform to the patterns of this world” (Romans 12:2).
The fourth and last type of ground is the good ground. “But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty” (Matthew 13:23). This is the type of ground that we are called to be. Just like the seed that falls and grows, bearing fruit, we too must hear the Word, understand it, believe it, and spread that Word to everyone around us. Jesus says "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples." (John 15:8) We must bear fruit, and in order to grow, we must dig our roots deep into the Word of God as a foundation against evil.
Today, we must all re-examine ourselves just like the Bible directs in 2 Corinthians 13:5. We must realize that we are the variable in this equation, not God, and that we are in need of a heart change. We need to become that good ground. We need to receive the Word of God and the truth of salvation. But one thing must be remembered above all. It is "God that giveth the increase." (1 Cor 3:6) We must cast our cares and burdens on Christ, and trust and follow His leadings, for Jesus says, "the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me" (John 15:4) The sower is calling for your increase; He is searching for your fruit. Will you let Christ abide with you today?
