Parable of the Sower
The parable of the sower describes people’s reaction to Jesus Christ’s message of God’s kingdom. It is a simple earthy story of a farmer who sows seeds, which fell in various places, some never taking root, others sprouting but after a while dying off, still others maturing to plants and bearing much fruit (Matt. 13:1-9). Yet, as Jesus would point out, this story illustrates truth about God’s kingdom. In the parable of the sower the seed is the message and it the same for everyone. It is the soil or the condition of one’s heart, which determines whether or not the message bears fruit (Matt. 13:18-23).
Seeds sown on the roadside represent those who hear the word of the kingdom but do not understand. The message does not penetrate the hardened heart, but the evil one swoops in like a bird and snatches it away. How many have simply tuned out the evangelist, never realizing the words spoken offered them new life? Perhaps they dismiss the good news and shake their fist at God, blaming Him for the world’s problems?
Seeds sown on rocky places sprout quickly in the shallow soil but eventually wither under the sun. They represent those who respond to the message of Christ; yet, lack the spiritual roots to remain when affliction and persecution happen. Seeds sown in thorny places represent those who receive the word but are fruitless because of the worries of the world and the deception of wealth. Many come to the community of Christ, and for a season they appear to have embraced the messages; yet, overtime they leave the faith. Starting well they never finish the race.
The pressure of the fallen world to beat someone into its warped mold is great; yet, its promises are deceptive! One might bow to the false gods of this world, sprinkle incense upon its altars in exchange for respite from affliction and persecution, but Christ can only fill the God shaped void in the heart and bring genuine peace. The world tells the story of attaining riches to have a secure and comfortable life, but these things are always fleeting. Since God owns the cattle on a thousand hills, He is the one who can supply our needs, and it is in Christ that we can reconnect with God.
Lastly, there are seeds on good soil, which represent those who hear the word and understand it, and they bear much fruit.
The parable of the sower played out in church history, as the first Christians emerged as a small sect of Judaism yet within just a few decades of its inception had expanded throughout the Roman Empire. The Christian movement still continues to grow, as more people enter into the kingdom through the proclamation of the Gospel. Yet, the implications of this parable are relevant even to this day. God’s Word is being proclaimed, people are hearing the message, many receive it, and they become reproducing followers of Christ.
Seeds sown on the roadside represent those who hear the word of the kingdom but do not understand. The message does not penetrate the hardened heart, but the evil one swoops in like a bird and snatches it away. How many have simply tuned out the evangelist, never realizing the words spoken offered them new life? Perhaps they dismiss the good news and shake their fist at God, blaming Him for the world’s problems?
Seeds sown on rocky places sprout quickly in the shallow soil but eventually wither under the sun. They represent those who respond to the message of Christ; yet, lack the spiritual roots to remain when affliction and persecution happen. Seeds sown in thorny places represent those who receive the word but are fruitless because of the worries of the world and the deception of wealth. Many come to the community of Christ, and for a season they appear to have embraced the messages; yet, overtime they leave the faith. Starting well they never finish the race.
The pressure of the fallen world to beat someone into its warped mold is great; yet, its promises are deceptive! One might bow to the false gods of this world, sprinkle incense upon its altars in exchange for respite from affliction and persecution, but Christ can only fill the God shaped void in the heart and bring genuine peace. The world tells the story of attaining riches to have a secure and comfortable life, but these things are always fleeting. Since God owns the cattle on a thousand hills, He is the one who can supply our needs, and it is in Christ that we can reconnect with God.
Lastly, there are seeds on good soil, which represent those who hear the word and understand it, and they bear much fruit.
The parable of the sower played out in church history, as the first Christians emerged as a small sect of Judaism yet within just a few decades of its inception had expanded throughout the Roman Empire. The Christian movement still continues to grow, as more people enter into the kingdom through the proclamation of the Gospel. Yet, the implications of this parable are relevant even to this day. God’s Word is being proclaimed, people are hearing the message, many receive it, and they become reproducing followers of Christ.
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