PARABLES OF JESUS || The Sower

This is the seventh of the series - Parables of Jesus

Welcome to a new month, everyone!

The Parable of the Sower is one that has been taught over time in many Christian circles. This parable categorizes a man and his heart according to its receptiveness of the Word of God and his response i.e. how the heart receives the Word of God and what the man eventually does with what has been received.

Today, we shall look into these categories and learn lessons that can be used to evaluate our current mode of living.

Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" 

Therefore hear the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty." (Matthew 13: 1–9, 18–23, NKJV)

Although this parable is titled The Sower, more emphasis is given to the type of soils on which the seeds are sown. These soil types represent the state of man's heart with the sower being God, and the seed representing His Word.

Rejection of the Word of God

Verse 4 states that the seeds that were sown at the wayside were devoured by the birds of the air. This denotes the people who hear the Word of God in its purest form, but do not receive it. They reject the Word and pay no attention to it. By doing so, it takes no form of entry in their hearts but is taken away by the devil himself. 

The Denial of Persecution and Tribulation

The second sect of people are those who receive the Word with joy once heard, and it supposedly starts to germinate. However, when they are faced with affliction, persecuted for the Word they accepted or tried for the faith they received, they do not endure nor remain in God till the end but fall away.

It is crucial to note that the Christian faith does not promise a life without trials or tribulations. In John 16:33, Jesus specifically said that we will have challenges in this world, yet, He encouraged us not to fret but have joy and be confident in Him as He has overcome the world. 

This means that regardless of what we go through once we identify with Christ and walk in a relationship with God through His Spirit, we should not relent but continue our journey in love and joy, knowing that our Lord has given us victory over all things.

No Separation From the World

The seeds that fell amongst thorns and got choked represent people who have received God's Word but fail to separate themselves from the cares of the world - lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. 

The world is currently driven by desires of ambition, sexual perversion, ungodly riches, lust, and much more. With the devil existing as the god of this world, unrighteousness, deceit and greed are only but a few of the things that are prominent today. 

Yet, it is very important to note that a total separation from the world and denial of ourselves is needed for us to bear fruit of God's Word in our lives. We cannot claim to be effective believers if we receive God's Word and remain entangled with the affairs of the world. As such, it is necessary for us to constantly evaluate ourselves and ask the Holy Spirit to sanctify us, while being cautious of the states of our hearts and seeking God first in all we do.

Submission to God's Word

The last category of people are those who receive God's Word into their hearts, constantly meditate on it, endure the effects it has on them while submitting themselves to God and His will. 

Every one who steps into a relationship with Jesus Christ is expected to yield daily to God's plans and purposes for them. A total submission of our beings to God through His Word, Spirit and the blood of Jesus enable us to be transformed into the people that He wants us to be. When we surrender and allow God's Word take root in our lives, positive changes in our lifestyles are inevitable - we find ourselves being molded to His design, reproducing fruit of His light on earth, and having true meaning and satisfaction in Him, as we become patterned to His will with our lives as fruits.

Final Words

You will agree with me that the best soil (or heart) type is the soil (heart) that yields to God and His Word always. Thus, we are called to continually fix our hearts on Him as a heart set on God's Word can yield no bad fruit. 

May God give us the grace to submit ourselves to Him always. Amen.