Parable of the Sower
Parallel Texts: Matthew 13:1-23; Luke 8:1-15
With the beginning of chapter four, we see a shift in Mark’s narrative into a battery of parables. Parables are interesting things, little stories that teach a moral lesson. They are not literal, and the stories themselves are not intended to be understood literally; they are instead, metaphors. The literal interpretation, for you literal fans, of a parable is that it is a metaphor… just so we are clear.
Teachers use parables to teach moral lessons in a non-threatening way, so that each listener may perceive the part of the parable that applies to his or her situation, without the teacher needing to point fingers at any certain individual, which enables the lesson to sink in more deeply than if it needed to be filtered through a defensive perimeter. Jesus made frequent use of parables, but He is certainly not alone in doing so; there are parables in both the Old and New Testaments, used by multiple writers, as well as in secular history. In American history, Abraham Lincoln is especially famous for his clever us of parables in both legal and political argumentation. Indeed, modern-day speakers still use parables in their teaching; Ronald Reagan was known to make frequent use of them, for instance.
The parable of the sower is the first in this series, and is commonly known in churches today. For our purposes, I’ll let you read the text and then we’ll talk about Jesus’ explanation when you get back…
Jesus explains His parable to a smaller group after His teaching session from the boat beginning in verse 10. Isn’t it interesting that He begins to explain by quoting Isaiah 6? Jesus ties all of this to His preaching on the Kingdom. For those who are outside of His Kingdom, these matters will be a mystery, but for those within his kingdom, they will be plain, and now the Isaiah quote. Doesn’t this remind you of Paul’s discussion of the how the things of God are but “foolishness” to the world, and the wisdom of this world is but but foolishness to God?
Jesus goes on to elaborate on His metaphor, by describing the various soils that the farmer’s seed contacts, how the birds gobble up the seed on the path, and the lack of roots in the rocky soil and how that causes the seed to sprout quickly and then shrivel and die when the hot sun shines down on the young plants. Then He points out how the seed that falls in good soil develops roots and withstands the sun, growing to maturity.
I’ve heard countless sermons that focus on the rocky soil and that have gone on to discuss those who come to faith, are very excited and then fall away. I haven’t had the pleasure of listening to very many who actually noticed the fact that in verse 11, Jesus tied this into a Kingdom context. His focus wasn’t so much on the products of the rocky soil, but rather on what happens in good soil: Those seeds grow to maturity, and then produce more seeds. Some seeds produce 30 new seeds, or 60, or even 100. These are His disciples, who in turn produce more disciples for the Kingdom, some 30, some 60, and some 100. Disciples who make more disciples are the object of all of this, not the rocky soil and falling away…
What kind of soil are we planted in? Can a mentor (disciple) work with that soil and remove the rocks that are in the soil of a “younger” brother?
Interesting question, wouldn’t you say?
Life Project Blog 
Excellent question…,yes! Great post, too.
Thanks
Very interesting! I enjoy parables very much. 🙂
🙂
Love, love, love the Parables ~
The lord is at work! He has just grabbed that question and done a little interior decorating in my heart. One unexpected post to follow soon – thank you!
Oh Boy!
I thought it quite sober! 🙂
Excellent! I love the thought of working to help remove the rocks in another person’s life. That is a great idea as long as one does it under the guidance of God
Yep that’s right
I thank you for the insight on this parable. Am I bringing more into the kingdom of God. This is something I need to examine myself. I need to examine myself often.
We all do
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Great focus, Don. There are so many ways we can plant seeds and help God with His harvest. You’ve pointed out yet another way. Thank you!
Thanks Susan!
Great post and great perspective. God bless!
Thank you
Reblogged this on Pacific Missionary and commented:
Another look at the parable of the sower… Good word!
Good question for us to ponder. vw
Thanks
Our sermon this past Sunday. It is the condition of our heart that makes the difference in being fruitful for the Lord. When our hearts are filled with Jesus we can’t help but lead others to Christ and encourage other brothers and sisters in their faith to know Jesus intimately so they can be fruitful for the kingdom of God. What’s the fruit? Salvation and growing in Him. Thank you Don for making a difference in my life by your posts. To God be the glory.
Wow, thank you Sharon, that means a lot!
I read a sermon on the birds taking the seeds, the bishop likened the birds to Christian churches who come along and take the seeds (faithful) from other churches, causing the faithful to eventually lose their faith because of the contradictions between the two. The sermon was written centuries ago, but still holds true today. Satan working from within the church to spread the seeds of hatred, instead of the seeds of love.
Very interesting perspective, thanks for sharing it!