Matthew 13:1-23
“Then he told them many things in parables, saying: ‘A farmer went out to sow his seed.’” Matthew 13:3
This parable is best known as The Parable of the Sower, but it really is a parable about the different soils where the seed fell. That’s what made the difference in how the seed grew because the sower and the seed are constants.
God is the sower and the seed is God’s word. Some seed fell along the path. The gardens were edged with paths that were beaten down and packed by the foot traffic so the soil was hard. Seed that fell on the ground would just stay on top until the birds came and ate it. The birds are a picture of Satan snatching away the word.
What makes the human heart hard? Sin--the desire to go our own way and do our own thing and ignore God. Author James Montgomery Boice tells of a conversation he heard between two women. One asked the other, “Why is America in such a declining moral state?” Her friend replied, “Because the people love sin.”
Some seed fell on rocky places where there was not much soil. The seed sown on stony ground with little soil represents people who receive God’s word with joy and excitement, but in a time of testing they fall away because they lack roots and nourishment. They are shallow Christians. We never know when trouble will come, but we need to be prepared by putting our roots down deep in Christ when we have opportunities.
Some seed fell among thorns which grew up and choked out the plants. The seed that was sown on thorny ground and was choked out by the weeds represents people who hear the word but they become so caught up in worrying about the problems and details of living and in enjoying wealth and leisure that the seed of God’s word can’t grow and mature. We can become so involved in the things of the world that we do not grow and bear fruit.
Finally, the seed was sown on good ground and produced a bountiful harvest. A fruitful Christian, represented by good soil, is one who studies God’s word and is obedient to what he learns.
The application of this parable is obvious. We are led to examine our lives to see what kind of soil we are. Are we fruitful Christians? If not, why not? How can we change?
Father, I want to be good soil for Your word to grow in my life and make me be fruitful for You. Amen.
This parable is best known as The Parable of the Sower, but it really is a parable about the different soils where the seed fell. That’s what made the difference in how the seed grew because the sower and the seed are constants.
God is the sower and the seed is God’s word. Some seed fell along the path. The gardens were edged with paths that were beaten down and packed by the foot traffic so the soil was hard. Seed that fell on the ground would just stay on top until the birds came and ate it. The birds are a picture of Satan snatching away the word.
What makes the human heart hard? Sin--the desire to go our own way and do our own thing and ignore God. Author James Montgomery Boice tells of a conversation he heard between two women. One asked the other, “Why is America in such a declining moral state?” Her friend replied, “Because the people love sin.”
Some seed fell on rocky places where there was not much soil. The seed sown on stony ground with little soil represents people who receive God’s word with joy and excitement, but in a time of testing they fall away because they lack roots and nourishment. They are shallow Christians. We never know when trouble will come, but we need to be prepared by putting our roots down deep in Christ when we have opportunities.
Some seed fell among thorns which grew up and choked out the plants. The seed that was sown on thorny ground and was choked out by the weeds represents people who hear the word but they become so caught up in worrying about the problems and details of living and in enjoying wealth and leisure that the seed of God’s word can’t grow and mature. We can become so involved in the things of the world that we do not grow and bear fruit.
Finally, the seed was sown on good ground and produced a bountiful harvest. A fruitful Christian, represented by good soil, is one who studies God’s word and is obedient to what he learns.
The application of this parable is obvious. We are led to examine our lives to see what kind of soil we are. Are we fruitful Christians? If not, why not? How can we change?
Father, I want to be good soil for Your word to grow in my life and make me be fruitful for You. Amen.
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