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a) The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-23)
MATTHEW 13:18-23
18 Hear, then, the parable of the farmer. 19 When anyone hears the word of the Kingdom, and doesn’t understand it, the evil one comes, and snatches away that which has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown by the roadside. 20 What was sown on the rocky places, this is he who hears the word, and immediately with joy receives it; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while. When oppression or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. 22 What was sown among the thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of this age and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. 23 What was sown on the good ground, this is he who hears the word, and understands it, who most certainly bears fruit, and brings forth, some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty.” (Matthew 6:19-34, Mark 4:13-20, Luke 8:6-15, 1 Timothy 6:9)
Christ’s parables are related to common, ordinary facts, not philosophical notions or speculations, or unusual phenomena of nature. They are applicable to the matter in hand. They are taken from the most obvious realities that are seen every day and come within the reach of the most simple-minded. Many of them are taken from agricultural settings, as this of the sower, and that of the tares. Christ chose to do it this way in order that spiritual principles might be made simpler, and, by familiar similitude, might fall into our understanding. In this way, common actions might be spiritualized, and we might take the opportunity, from seeing these things, to meditate with delight in the ways of God. Thus, when our hands are busy with everyday problems, we may, with the help of those teachings, be led to have our hearts in heaven.
The Word of the gospel is the Word of the kingdom. It is the Word of the King, and where His Word is, there is power (Ecclesiastes 8:4). The sower that scatters the seed is our Lord Jesus Christ – Himself and His body of ministers. Ministers are God’s fellow workers (1 Corinthians 3:9). The ground in which this seed is sown is the hearts of the children of men, which have different qualities and characteristics, therefore different levels of receptivity to the word.
Man’s heart is like soil, capable of improvement and of bearing good fruit. It is pity it should lie fallow or be like the field of the lazy man (Proverbs 24:30). The soul is the proper place for the Word of God to dwell, and work, and rule in. It works within the conscience to light the candle of the Lord. Our heart determines how much the Word of God or the evil of the world works in us. Some ground, when sown with good seed, brings forth no fruit. On the other hand, good soil brings forth fruit in abundance. So it is with the hearts of men; the different characters are represented by four types of soil of which three are bad, and one is good.
What did the seed of the gospel produce in you, nothing, something, or many things? Study this parable in the light of the interpretation presented to us by Jesus to recognize who you are. Ask Christ to make you good and fertile soil. Also ask Him to change your mind that you may study the Word of God with joy and diligence. Let your chief concern be directed to continuous and careful reading of the Bible that you may act accordingly and bear much fruit.
Beware of being over zealous or too shallow, for hearing the gospel without repentence. Lack of true repentance yields conceitedness, and can be compared with a man that builds his house on the sand without supporting it with a good foundation. Jesus chose His apostles from John the Baptist’s disciples, because they truly repented. But the multitudes that raced to Him by reason of the miracles He did, left Him and deserted Him immediately when persecution arose, since their coming was not out of repentance and salvation, but as a result of self-interest rather than spiritual interest.
Moreover, ask your Lord to help you against your worries and concerns, and to free you from the love of money that you may seek first the kingdom of heaven and His righteousness. Then you will find that God Himself cares for you and blesses you.
Persecution is represented in the parable by the scorching sun. The same sun that warms and cherishes that which was well rooted, withers and burns up that which has shallow roots. The word of Christ, as well as the cross of Christ, are to some “a savor of life unto life,” to others “a savor of death unto death.” The same tribulation which drives some to apostasy and ruin, works for others “a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” Trials which shake some, confirm others!
Observe how soon they fall away, as soon rotten as they were ripe. A profession taken up without consideration is commonly let fall without any thought.
His blessed word can undoubtedly bear much fruit in you, just as the seed that falls on good ground produces a full golden ear without changing its essence or losing any of its characteristics. Therefore do not bear your own fruit resulting from your thoughts and intents, but let the Word of God multiply in your life. Prosperity and life are His favor, not ours.
The distinguishing factor of good ground from the rest was, in one word, “fruitfulness.” By this, true Christians are distinguished from hypocrites, that they “bring forth the fruits of righteousness.” “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples” (John 15:8). He does not say that this good ground has no stones in it, or no thorns, but there were none that prevailed to hinder its fruitfulness. Saints, in this world, are not perfectly free from the remains of sin; but happily freed from the reign of it.
PRAYER: O Father, my heart is hard, slow, shallow, and wicked. Please break my pride, overcome my useless intents, and open my ears to hear your word. Give me a firm will to study the Bible persistently. Arrange my time and will that I may enter every day deeply into your Holy Bible which illuminates my heart and establishes me in true faith, working love, and living hope.
QUESTION:
- What are the four kinds of the gospel auditors?