Back to the Bible: Matthew 13:1-23
Crowds flocked to Jesus to hear His teaching. Jesus taught them in parables. Parables have been described as “earthly stories with heavenly meaning.” He used everyday experiences, stories of farming, fishing, and common objects, to explain profound concepts of the kingdom of God.
This parable considers a sower broadcasting his seed. Some seed fell on hard ground and never penetrated the soil. Some fell on rocky ground. Though the seed was able to sink in, it was not able to take solid root. It withered in the heat of the day. Other seed fell to thorny ground. As it grew up, the thorns choked the plant and prevented it from producing fruit. Finally, some seed fell on good soil. This seed produced fruit and in abundance.
The disciples wondered why Jesus taught with parables. He explained that it was so that some would hear, but not understand and some would see, but not perceive. Those who wanted to know Jesus’ teaching would work to understand what the parables meant, while those who remained outside would go away without digging deeper. The parables were the perfect method for Jesus’ teaching revealing or concealing the message based on the condition of the hearer’s heart. He fulfilled the words of Isaiah which pointed to the hardness of the people’s hearts. The ones who would see and hear were blessed. The righteous of old had longed to see and hear Jesus, and they were getting that opportunity.
Lessons to Learn:
Every person is in the parable of the sower, seed, and soil. Jesus’ words always accomplish their purpose (Isa. 55:10-11). Much of the seed seems to be wasted. In reality, the seed is accomplishing its goal of revealing the good and unsuitable soil.
Are we hard soil?
Have you heard the gospel of King Jesus and failed to let it penetrate your heart and produce real change? Some people are hardened by tradition, anger, pride, or immorality. Soften your heart so that the message of Christ can penetrate.
Are we rocky soil?
Did you make an early enthusiastic commitment to the Lord, but allowed peer pressure, family ridicule, or persecution to dwindle your resolve? Prepare your heart to commit to the Lord for the “long haul” come what may.
Are we thorny soil?
Perhaps you want to serve the Lord and do His will, but you allow worldly concerns to choke out your commitment. Money, entertainment, vacation, sports, appearances, sexual appetite, and other things can control us and choke out God’s control of us through His word. So many give first-rate effort to second-rate causes. Examine the priorities of your heart and give it to the Lord so that you can bear fruit.
Are we good soil?
Are you consistently looking for ways to allow God’s word to more fully transform your life? Are you growing to become more like Christ, showing the love of God to others, consistently looking to God’s will, trying to be more obedient, sharing the message of the gospel with others? May we all be that kind of soil so that we can bear fruit for the Lord.
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