Parable of the Sower

 

Matthew 13:3-9 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: "A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on the rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop--a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. He who has ears, let him hear." (NIV)

 

Jesus told many parables in the Bible. Why did he do this? He did so in order for people to understand the word of God. Just as we tell and read stories to children when we are trying to help them understand concepts that may be well beyond their years, Jesus applied the same concept when ministering to people in the Spirit.

 

 

The parable of the sewer was told by Jesus so that we can understand and not get frustrated when witnessing to others about Christ. Have you ever tried to share the gospel with others and some of them couldn't get it, didn't want it, or lost it as soon as they received it? Well, this parable truly gives insight into the reasoning behind this. Here is what happens:

 

1.) The devil snatches what that person has learned if they did not fully understand what was taught. This is the seed that fell on the path.

 

 

 

John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal, and kill and destroy: I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (NIV)

 

The enemy does not want anyone to understand or retain the knowledge of God. Therefore, if he can kill the seed that has not been firmly planted, within the heart of a person at the beginning, he can easily take it and all that they may have heard is snatched up because of their lack of understanding. This is why it is so important to break things down in simple terms to people when witnessing to them about Jesus. We are not all on the same educational and spiritual level. It does not mean that a person with a G.E.D. is less important to God than someone with a Ph.D. It only means that your witnessing technique may need to be different so that both can understand what God has to say. Just as Jesus gave parables for the crowd, we too can reach others at whatever level they may be at the time.

 

2.) The person receives the word and is happy to do so. However, when times of testing and trials come, because the seed is not grounded deep within them, they quickly fall away and turn back to their previous state. This is the seed that fell on rocky places.

 

 

 

James 2:1-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finished its work so that you may be mature and complete not lacking anything. (NIV)

 

There are going to be trials that are going to come our way. During those trials is when our faith is tested the most. Those who are deeply rooted in God will not turn their back on Him, but will endure to the end. Those who are not planted in God, but have Him as only a top soil in their hearts, will not be able to stand. However, those who do endure to the end will receive the reward.

 

3.) This person hears the word of God, but is too worried about obtaining worldly gain. This is the seed that landed in thorny places.

 

 

 

Mark 8:36 What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? (NIV)

 

Many people know the ways of the Lord, but they do not follow Him because they are afraid to give up the things that they hold the most dear. Rather that is a job, relationship, fame, and or fortune, they tell God, in a sense, that they do not want Him. Therefore, these people will not make it to Heaven if they do not accept God as Lord over their lives. Anything that comes before God is an idol and therefore, they are guilty of idolatry, which is SIN.

 

 

4.) The person understands, hears, and does the will of God. Not only does he obey God's will in his own life, but he evangelizes to others by making fishers of men. This seed fell on good soil!

 

 

 

James 1:22-24 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. (NIV)

 

It is not good enough to go to church, read the Bible and never put to practice what you learned. In order to witness to others and live for Christ, we must obey what God has said. As we do this, we must not forget the Great Commission and that is to win souls for Christ. A person who has been planted in good soil will try to duplicate himself through Christ. This means that you will not keep the knowledge of Salvation to yourself, but you will try to make disciples who will be led by the Spirit and follow Jesus.

 

Are you planted in fertile ground? If not, ask Jesus for His help so that you will become the seed that has sprouted into a beautiful plant for HIM.

 

 

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