That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.
Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. He who has ears, let him hear.” – Matthew 13:1-9
INTRODUCTION
The word “parable” comes from the Greek parabole, which means “placing beside”, as in a comparison. A parable is a brief illustrative story that teaches a lesson or makes a specific point, usually drawing from situations or images that are common to the listener. Matthew chapter 13 contains several parables about the kingdom of heaven. They describe both the results of preaching God’s message and the spiritual conditions that will exist on earth in regard to God’s work and purposes until Christ returns. This work will take place particularly through His church, which is the visible aspect of His kingdom on earth
In most of these parables, Christ teaches that there will be good and evil in His visible kingdom on earth. This does not mean that evil is actually part of God’s true kingdom, but it indicates that among those who claim to know Christ there will be insecure and unfaithful people who compromise true faith and defy the standards of God’s Word.
This means that there will be those who tolerate, approve of or are involved in ungodly, worldly behaviours that lead to rebellion against God; but there will also be those who maintain faithfulness and godliness that lead to eternal life. In the end, the wicked will be destroyed; “Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father”.
Christ gives these parables to alert His true followers to expect evil and opposition to surface within the kingdom and to teach them how to overcome the influence and opposition of Satan and his followers. The only way to overcome is through whole-hearted devotion to Christ and full commitment to what is right and true (see Rev. 2-3 for examples of good and evil within the churches of the kingdom).
Parables are stories from everyday life that relate and illustrate certain spiritual truths. Not every aspect of a parable is a direct analogy relating to something else. A parable usually makes a general point, and the spiritual meaning is not always obvious. The unique thing about Jesus’ parables, however, is that they are meant to reveal truth to those who are spiritually sincere and open, while at the same time concealing it from those who are resistant to God. Parables may at times require a decision or choice
THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER
That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around Him that He got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then He told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed.
As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.
Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop – a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. He who has ears, let him hear.”
The disciples came to Him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?” He replied, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. This is why I speak to them in parables:
“Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing they do not hear or understand. In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’
But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.
Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.
But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When troubles or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. The one who received the seed that fell among thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.
But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” – Matthew 13: 1 – 23
In this parable, Jesus tells the story of a farmer who went out to plant seeds. As the farmer scattered the seeds, they fell on four different types of ground. Although the seeds were the same, they produced different results depending on where they fell.
The seed represents the Word of God, while the different types of ground represent the different conditions of people’s hearts when they hear God’s Word. The farmer represents the one who spreads the message of the Kingdom, and the different outcomes show how people respond to that message.
- The Seed That Fell Along the Path
Some seeds fell on a hard path where they could not enter the soil. Birds came and ate them. Jesus explained that this represents people who hear God’s Word but do not understand or receive it into their hearts. Before the message can take root in them, the evil one comes and takes it away.
This teaches us that simply hearing God’s Word is not enough. We must be willing to receive it, understand it and allow it to influence our lives.
- The Seed That Fell on Rocky Ground
Other seeds fell on rocky ground where there was little soil. The seeds grew quickly, but because they had no deep roots, they withered when the sun came out.
Jesus explained that these are people who receive God’s Word with joy but do not develop a strong spiritual foundation. When difficulties, persecution or challenges arise because of their faith, they give up.
This shows us that our relationship with God must go beyond the excitement we feel when we first hear His Word. We must develop a deep and lasting faith that will sustain us during difficult times.
- The Seed That Fell Among Thorns
Some seeds fell among thorns, which grew and choked the plants. Jesus explained that these are people who hear God’s Word but allow the worries of life and the deceitfulness of wealth to distract them. As a result, God’s Word does not produce the fruit it should in their lives.
This teaches us that the pressures of daily life, the desire for wealth and the pursuit of worldly things can gradually take our attention away from God. Although we may continue to hear His Word, we may fail to live according to it because other things have become more important to us.
- The Seed That Fell on Good Soil
Finally, some seeds fell on good soil and produced a rich harvest, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.
Jesus explained that the good soil represents people who hear God’s Word, understand it and allow it to shape their lives. They do not merely listen to the Word but put it into practice. Their lives begin to show the fruit of their faith through obedience, love, patience, godliness and other Christlike qualities.
This is the response God desires from us. We must receive His Word with open hearts, remain faithful to it and allow it to produce lasting change in our lives.
To be continued!
Stay blessed!
Please Note :The preaching programme on Sunny 88.7 FM every Tuesday at 5:30 a.m. has been temporarily put on hold. However, please continue to join us on Asempa 94.7 FM every Sunday at 5:30 a.m. and YFM 107.9 every Sunday at 6:30 a.m. for our Radio Bible Study, as well as on Sunny 88.7 FM every Sunday at 3:30 p.m. for Hymns and Their Stories.
