The Parable of "The Sower"
Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. 2 And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. 3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; 4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: 5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: 6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: 8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. 9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. 19 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 way side. 20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; 21 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. 22 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. 23 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.
There are three parts to this Parable that are apparent to us. There is the Sower, there is the Seed, and there is the Soil. Two of these parts of the Parable Jesus explains to his disciples. The third one he does not. We could guess and speculate as to why He chose to not include that information or we can look at the information He did give us as it must be of importance.
This parable is recorded for us in three of the Gospels Matthew13, Mark 4, and Luke 8. In all three instances Jesus explains the seed and the soil. He does not however for this parable explain who the Sower is. I believe the reason for that is that the emphasis in this parable is on the soil and how it accepts the seed.
So let us look at these two elements of the parable
I) The Seed
Who or what is the seed?
Jesu reveals to his disciples the answer to that question in all three accounts.
13: 19 "When any one heareth the word of the kingdom"
v14 of Mark 4 says" The sower soweth the word."
And Luke chapter 8 v 11 comes right out and says it for us"Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God."
In these three different accounts of the same parable I believe Jesus makes it clear that the seed being sowed is the word of God. The gospel, the good news of salvation by and through Jesus Christ.
One thing we should realize here concerning the seed, please note no matter where the seed fell it was the same seed. The parable does not say on the hard ground he used this certain seed that would grow there. on the stony ground he changed to another kind of seed. Where ther were weeds he used a weed reistant strain of seeds. And on the good soil he, used the good seed for that.
The word of God didn’t change the condition of the soil did.
Next we get to the dirt of the parable lets talk about the soil.
II) The Soil
We have four different kinds of soil or seed bed.
Hard packed "The way side" This was commonly the area near a field where the beaten path was where people and beast traveled past or through a farmers field. It was not tilled or prepared nothing was expected to grow there.
Full of rocks "stoney places" This is not an area where there are rocks and stones mixed into the soil. This is an area where just under the soil is a hard solid rock like shelf. Have you ever started to dig for planting or whatever and got down just below the surface and were unable to dig any further? That is the stoney places spoken of here.
Decent soil but a lot of weeds " Thorns"
And the Good soil "That which has been prepared for seed to grow"
Jesus makes pretty clear for us in all 3 gospel accounts that those that hear the word of God are represented by the soil. I believe he is talking about the condition of the hearts of those within the church.
V19 "When any one heareth the word of the kingdom"
V20 "But he that received the seed "
V22 "He also that received seed among the thorns "
V23 "But he that received seed into the good ground "
a) First we have the hard ground
V4 "And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:
19 "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 way side."
Lukes account says "Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved."
Jesus tells us that this is those that hear the Word but doesn’t understand it. It doesn’t penetrate it just sits there until the wicked one snatches it away. They hear the same message we do (the seed is the same) yet they don’t understand the need for a savior. It doesn’t even make into their thoughts, much less their hearts. I wonder what has dulled their mind to the word and made their heart so hard, is it that they like the ground have been trampled and beaten down, and nothing is expected of them?
b) Next we have those that are the stoney ground, "20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; 21 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."
Are these people who actually become Christians by receiving Jesus Christ as their personal Savior? No, I don’t think so. Jesus says the reason this person’s faith lasts only a short time is because "he has no root." There is no connection to what is needed to nourish and sustain life, or to put it in spiritual terms, there is no connection to the Holy Spirit. There was never a connection to the Holy Spirit. Thus, the faith was never genuine, and these people were never truly a believer of Jesus Christ. But, why would they have received the Word with joy at one point? Why would people claim to believe in Christ if they really don’t? There are a number of reasons for that. Some people have a head belief, which never connects with the heart. They believe the facts about Jesus but never embrace Him as their Savior. They believe in Jesus much like they believe in George Washington. It is merely an intellectual belief, not a true biblical faith. As we say, "Some people miss heaven by 18 inches" which is the distance from their head to their heart. Others give an outward profession of faith in Christ, not because they really trust in Jesus, but because they want to please someone else. That is not real faith; there is no root. When troubles or persecution or just something more interesting comes along, they forget all about their Christianity. They wither because they have no root system. Jesus says "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." (John 15:5). They are shallow they dress up they show up but they don’t have Jesus in their hearts. Their minds may understand Gods plan of salvation and it may touch their heart but it doesn’t penetrate the heart.
They hear the word of God but they have no root, it has effected them but so do the sun and the wind and the rain. Without a root they bear no fruit.
c) Now we have the thorny or weed infested soil.
7" And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: "
Jesus explains in verse 22 "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."
Again we have soil that is receptive to the word. They hear the word they may even understand in their minds. The seed begins to grow but, alas it is choked out by weeds and thorns competing for that soil. What seperates this soil from the stoney soil is time. Those represented by the stoney soil are like bottle rockets. They get lit they shoot high pop and they are done. This soil represents that big rocket the one with the really long fuse so you have time to get away. You light it and wait with anticipation as the fuse slowly burns, and then--- nothing. These people are around a while they look like they may do something great and then---nothing. They may be long time church members, but are easily drawn away. They come to church to hear a good sermon. Maybe they even read their Bible or participate in a Bible study of some kind. But they have things that are competing for that time. And in this case those things over power the sprig that has started to grow. They are concerned equally with the things of God and the things of the world. They go to church, read their Bibles, and will do anything to get ahead at work!! Jesus says "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."
I have heard it questioned wether this particular soil was representative of saved christians who have fallen away. I do not believe so. If they were truly saved there would be fruit.
You are familiar with Ephesians 2:8,9 but sometimes we neglect verse 10 which says"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
Those good works are the fruit, the product of salvation.
This thorny soil has potential to bear fruit but because it is sharing ground with weeds and thorns it becomes overtaken choked out and cannot produce fruit.
d) That brings us finally to the good soil.
" But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold."
What makes good soil?
Jesus says
" 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"
The good soil, are those which heareth the word and understands it.
The good soil hears the word.
To hear the word we need to be in church not just physically but mentally as well. That means showing up ready to experience God and his message for us! Focusing your mind on being in the presence of the Lord.
The good soil is also characterized as those who understand the word.
First we must ask God to give us understanding concerning his word. James 1:5 says " If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." Then we need to study the word. To understand we have to study. Sunday school, Bible studies, devotionals. Then the seed will produce fruit.
Conclusion
Many people turn this parable into a salvation message. They say if you are one of those first three kinds of soil now is the time to get right with God. You can still change!! You can still become good dirt. That’s not what Jesus is saying.
Jesus says" 9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. 15 For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. 16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. 17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them."
Jesus explained this parable not to those who needed saving but to those who were already saved. The reason Jesus told those who fell into the good soil category the explanation was to prepare them to produce fruit, And To make them aware. Of what? The condition of the church.
The church is filled with the wrong soil. Think about it. 3 types of bad soil to 1 type of good soil!!! One is obvious the word slides of them like eggs on a teflon pan. We see them, we all know somebody that just doesn’t care. They have no concern for spiritual matters. The next one has fooled us all they come forward with tears for the altar call, but the word hasn’t gotten past the stoney layer in their heart. Then there are those who have been around for a while and we assume that they too are saved. Yet they are overtaken with the cares of the world when outside the church walls. " for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
This is not a call to start condemning those around you. It is a call for you to stop expecting those around you to do the Lords work. Let the Lord use you where ever and when ever he can.
Matt 9:37,38 "The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. "
