The word parable originates from the Greek word parabole which means ‘throwing alongside’. Parables in the Bible are stories that convey a lesson or a deeper truth about the kingdom of God. In the book of Mark, Jesus told the disciples something kind of surprising about the Parable of the Sower. A sower is someone who scatters seeds.
And He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?” Mark 4:13
The parable of the Sower is listed in 3 of the 4 gospels (Luke 8, Mark 4, and Matthew 13).
THE WORD
If this key parable helps us understand all the other parables, then we should probably carefully study this parable! Thankfully, the book of Mark makes it clear what we are metaphorically planting.
The sower sows the Word. Mark 4:14
Interestingly, the book of John says that Jesus IS the Word, which adds even more meaning to the parable in my opinion. In Matthew 13, Jesus gives the interpretation of the parable of the sower. Yet even with the interpretation, there’s more to learn. Let’s take a closer look:
That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. And great crowds gathered about Him, so that He got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. And He told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.” Matthew 13:1-9
This particular parable shows four ways that the seed (or the Word) is distributed: the path, the rocky ground, the thorns, and the good soil. I believe that each part is important.
THE PATH
The path is a description of the rejection of God‘s Word, of unbelief, and how Satan immediately takes away the importance of the Word to those who hear it.
For when I called, no one answered, when I spoke, no one listened. They did evil in my sight and chose what displeases me. Isaiah 66:4
ROCKY GROUND
The rocky ground describes those who have no root or endurance in the Word. They immediately received the Word, but nothing prospered because they did not receive it into their heart.
“The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and “a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the Word, as they were destined to do. 1 Peter 2:7-8
THORNS
The seeds among the thorns are a little more complicated, because at first the Word is received. However, the persons priorities aren’t right, and they end up being subject to the cares of the world which causes division in their hearts.
For everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the Word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. Hebrews 5:13-14
This group begins to grow, but are choked out by the unfruitful works of darkness. I also believe this is where the parable of the 5 foolish virgins in comparison to the 5 wise virgins is relevant.
The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. Matthew 25:3-4
The parable of the 10 virgins reflects those who are at risk of having a divided mind in Christ, and living in the world. The thorns choke out the Word. The real obstacle then is to stay in a humble place with the Lord always abiding in the Word of God and being in His presence, so that we do not risk being among the thorns.
GOOD SOIL
Which leads me to the good soil, this describes a person who hears the Word and works towards understanding it. They receive it in humility and begin to bear fruit. Their lives are rooted in Christ and they build their house on the solid rock. Their lives are renewed and they continue in the Word. Once this happens, the ultimate result is that they then scatter seeds to others.
Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted Word, which is able to save your souls. James 1:21
HE WHO HAS EARS, LET HIM HEAR
Being of the good soil is hiding the treasures that we receive from God in our heart (Matthew 13:44). We are then building on the rock (Matthew 7) instead of being tossed around by the wind. It is the meat that we need in order to be transformed. Not just the milk that can cause dullness and hearing. We must stay awake and be continuously alert, staying in the presence of God and in the Word, so that our ears will always hear. So that we always Shema what the Lord is telling us. Shema is the Hebrew word meaning to hear.
Hear therefore, O Israel, and be careful to do them (the commandments), that it may go well with you, and that you may multiply greatly, as the Lord, the God of your fathers, has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey. Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Deuteronomy 6:3-4
EAT THE WORD
We are to consume the Word, just as Ezekiel was told to eat the scroll.
And he said to me, “Son of man, feed your belly with this scroll that I give you and fill your stomach with it.” Then I ate it, and it was in my mouth as sweet as honey. Ezekiel 3:3
Jesus is the Word. We take communion in remembrance of Him. Symbolically we consume Jesus. He should be in our hearts. We are in Him and He is in us.
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, He it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. John 15:4-5
THE CARES OF THIS WORLD
Sadly, when I first became a Christian and the cares of the world knocked me around, I reacted, the same way I always had in the past. I looked for worldly solutions. Sadly, many Christians I knew did the same thing. My solution was usually going out and drinking or venting about all my problems. When that didn’t help, I looked to anxiety medication and other remedies from doctors or worldly professionals. These were the ways I dealt with stress before I was a Christian and sadly it’s the same way I dealt with it after I became a Christian… until I got close to the Lord. Now I know that spending time in God’s Word and in prayer is the best solution for me. God may direct me to different solutions, which are different for every person. However, seeking God FIRST is crucial.
SCATTER FREELY
In the parable of the Sower, notice how the seeds are scattered freely. When we share the gospel with someone, don’t worry about what they will do with it. If the Holy Spirit inspires you to share Jesus with someone, share freely and let the Holy Spirit guide you. Whether they choose to receive it, it is up to them and God. We are not responsible for how others respond. Nor are we responsible for their walk with God. In First Corinthians, Paul reminds us that it is God who grows a person:
I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 1 Corinthians 3:6
This does not mean that we are lazy in sharing the truth about Jesus, if we really love God, we will talk about Him.
Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. Matthew 10:8
We give freely to those around us, because we were given this same grace by God. We also trust God to do the work on a person’s heart.
THE KEY PARABLE
So how does this parable help us understand all the other parables? If we consider this parable, we see that it’s about the heart. In my opinion, we should look at the other parables with this perspective. The parable of the talents talks about a person who doesn’t take ownership of the gift given, he hides it in the ground – his heart was not right. The parable of the weeds shows the distraction of the enemy and how many, who serve alongside us, don’t have their heart set on the Lord and fall away.
The parable of the wedding feast (Matthew 22) reflects how many people are too busy to come to the Lord when He calls for them because their heart isn’t set on Jesus. Look at the parables from a heart perspective and search your own heart regularly to make sure your soil is good.
THORNS ARE EVERYWHERE
Last, please know that we have all, at one point, been among the thorns. The Bible describes being a Christian as being a soldier (Ephesians 6), it’s not easy! We are to be alert and prepared for battle at all times. The biggest fight we have sometimes is against our own thoughts and expectations.
Remember that the devil comes after our weaknesses. We are to be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might (Ephesians 6:10). It’s easy to be discouraged, so remember we are in a battle and we serve God! Now get up and continue on soldier! Because we have work to do.
Leave a Reply