PARABLE OF THE SOWER

 

The parable of the sower is described in Mathew 13:3-23, Mark 4:3-20 and Luke 8:5-15.

Mark 4:13 explicitly explains that if we are to understand all the other parables that Jesus gave; we first must understand this parable of the sower and that it is why it is important  to understand this parable. In other words, understanding this parable is the key to understand all the other parables.

 

Having seen this, we are told the sower went to sow the word of God. Mark 4:14, Luke 8:11. This parable is therefore not referring to those outside the church because we know, the word of God is mainly preached in the church. In the church there are 6 types of grounds as we shall see.

1.       Footpath believers- Mark 4:4,15; Mat 13:4,19; Luke 8:5,12

This refers to believers who immediately after hearing the word of God, the devil comes and takes it away from them and prevent them from believing and getting saved. The reason is because they do not understand it.

It is therefore very important for those who preach the gospel to ensure that the message is well understood; not using words that are not clear to those listening. It is good to understand the context of those you are speaking to.

 

For those listening, it is always good to ensure that wondering thoughts are not allowed during the sermon, or thoughts of- this word being preached belong to so and so. I wish so and so was here to hear this word. The word is written about you not your neighbour. It is speaking specifically to you. Heb 10:7

2.        Rocky soil believers- Mark 4:5-6,16-17; Mat 13:5-6,20-21; Luke 8:6,13

This represent those who understand and receive the message as theirs and they do it with joy. They sprout out very quickly but since they have shallow roots, they don’t stand very long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for the word.

We therefore see that receiving the words is good, but we shall be tested for the word and therefore we need to be firmly established in the word that we don’t fall away in the time of persecution.

3.       Thorn believers- Mark 4:7,18-19; Mat 13:7, 22; Luke 8:7,14

These refers to those who hear the message but are choked by worries, and deceitfulness of riches,  desires for other things, and pleasures of this life and do not bring the fruit to maturity, and therefore their fruit does not ripen.

As we see, these are believers who had already begun bearing fruits but the fruit does not reach maturity. We can say for example, a young person who in their single days was zealous and sought God and shunned sin but when he gets a job and gets married and have children, the thing mentioned above overcrowd the passion he had to live for God and therefore the fruit he was bearing does not mature.

4.       Fertile ground believers. Mark 4:8,20; Mat 13:8,23; Luke 8:8,15

These refers to those who first overcome the first 3 things mentioned above.  They are honest, i.e. there is no pretending to be what they are not before others, and they have good hearts- that is they have not grudges or bitterness or unforgiveness against anyone. They are always ready to do good to everyone even to those who hurt them. When they hear the word they obey it and they steadily bring their fruit with PATIENCE.

We are told that some bring forth 30times, others 60 and others 100time. The difference in the three is their whole heartedness in the thing mentioned here. 100 fold are those who immediately, sixty fold are those who take a little time to obey, and 30 times are those who take more time. Depending on the wholeheartedness of the individual, the fruitfulness will be different for each individual.

 

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