Parable of the Sower
In the Parable of the Sower, the Seed [God's Word] sown by the wayside, in rocky soil and among the thorns was never rooted nor grounded in the soil of their hearts. The hearers did not understand nor comprehend the Good News because their hearts we're hardened, not truly turned to Jesus for healing. But for those who were healed, the Lord said:
"The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God's word and produce a harvest thirty, sixty or even a hundred times as much as had been planted" (Matthew 13:23, NLT).
A Hearer's Response . . .
Many come to the website, but few take the time to respond like Erin from Washington State.
"I've just finished reading your book and have been researching your Abounding Love Ministries. Your story is very moving. I love seeing how you've turned your life around for the Lord! It really is inspiring! And I wanted to thank you for being so courageous enough to share your story and your journey with God to the world. I've been going through a rough time and hearing how passionate you've become in your relationship with Christ has motivated me to start working on my own and trying to grow closer to Him. I know I don't know you and you don't know me, but I just wanted to reach out and say thanks for sharing you story and using it to help bring others to Jesus! I will be praying for you that you will be continuing to do well and that you'll be able to reach many more people! Blessings, Erin."
Erin's heart is an example of someone who is open to forgiveness and new life through the finished work of Jesus Christ. In the Gospel of Matthew chapter 13, the problem in the parable of the sower is that everyone has ears to hear, but only the seeds that fell on good soil understood and turned to Jesus for healing. For the rest, "The seed that fell on the footpath [wayside] represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom [the gospel or word of reconciliation] and don't understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts. The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don't have deep roots, they don't last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God's word. The seed among the thorns represents those who hear the word, but all too quickly, the message is crowded out by worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced" (v. 19-22, NLT). Do you find yourself in one of these categories?
What Is Good Soil?
Let me remind you what Jesus said: "The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God's word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!" (Matthew 13:23, NLT). Good soil is a humble heart "who truly hears and understands" that Jesus has paid the price to redeem their shattered lives. They must allow God to prepare the soil of the heart to receive the healing message of salvation. For the seed [the Word of God] to bear fruit, the hard heart [wayside soil] must be broken and overturned to resist the evil one [demons], who blinded their minds through unbelief, pride and rebellion that caused traumatic trials, addictions and the circumstances of life. The shallow heart [rocky soil] must grow deep roots to understand God's love and grace in the midst of problems and persecutions instead of relying foolishly on emotional, superficial or religious works to bring relief, which never truly heals. The worldly heart [thorny soil] must realize that the desires and wealth of the world are only temporary and that true peace during life's struggles can only be found in the presence of Christ through turning to God from sin.
The heart must understand the Gospel to be born again in good soil and produce a harvest of fruit as a believer, ". . .some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty" (Matthew 13:23, NKJV). Through the New Covenant, the Lord declared, ". . .this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel after those days. . .I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. . .And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins" (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 8:8-12; 10:14-18, NLT). And, "I will give them a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you. . ." (Ezekiel 36:26,27a, NLT).
Are You Good Soil?
During the Lord's Supper, "Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, 'Take this and eat it, for this is my body.' And he took the cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, 'Each of you drink from it, for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many" (Matthew 26:26-28, NLT). Good soil is a person who knows they are forgiven of all of their sin because of the blood of Jesus Christ. They believe in their heart that God raised Jesus from the dead and confess Him as Lord with their mouth to God and others. They stand strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, filled and overflowing with the Holy Spirit, producing much fruit in their daily lives. They are God's treasure and pearl of great price -- the Church made up of Jews and Gentiles.
Jesus said: "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field. Again, the kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!" (Matthew 13:44-46, NLT). Jesus gave everything to purchase us by His blood!
The disciples asked Jesus, "Why do you use parables when you talk to people?" He replied, "You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven [Israel in fulfillment of many Old Testament prophesies], but others are not. To those who listen to my teachings, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them. That is why I use parables, For they look, but they don't really see. They hear, but they don't really listen or understand" (Matthew 13:10-13, NLT). I pray you will study these two articles on the site for your understanding:
Jesus said in Mark about the Parable of the Sower, "If you can't understand the meaning of this parable, how will you understand all the other parables?" (4:13, NLT). The study above by A.W. Pink will help you to understand the other parables in Matthew, chapter 13. You will be forever enriched by the insight.
Evidence of Salvation . . .
Recently, I put out Podcast #232, Evidence of Salvation. I will share the blurb below, in hopes you will listen to it, but first, here is a praise report from a dear friend, referring to the episode.
"I'm in Bible study and getting confirmation. Your latest podcast, my church lesson and this Bible study is all talking about the evidence of salvation. My preacher recently talked about would there be enough evidence to convict me of being a Christian. Same as your podcast. Just thought I would take a moment and let you know. It's amazing how things line up. John, New Castle, PA."
In this podcast, I share how there is evidence of our salvation lived out in our lives when we are established in the promises God made to our spiritual fathers [Abraham, David and the prophets] and confirmed in Christ (Romans 15:8). Through the New Covenant, He promised to "remember our sins no more" and to "put a new spirit within you" (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:26a). The apostle Paul simply put it like this: "Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God" (2 Corinthians 1:21, NKJV). And, "As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving" (Colossians 2:6,7, NKJV). If we are established in the faith, we have the ability to bring forth evidence of our salvation, because we are anointed of God. We are warned by the apostle Paul in his letter to the Hebrews not to "neglect so great of a salvation" (2:3), but rather "that you be established by grace" (13:9, NKJV). Grace is God's ability working in us to do what we can not do in our flesh. As you listen to this episode, you'll discover a check list of nine (9) evidences that come forth when your life is established in the faith. You'll be able to "Examine yourself as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourself. Do you not know yourself, that Jesus Christ is in you? --unless indeed you are disqualified. But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified" (2 Corinthians 13:5, NKJV), was the apostle Paul's desire. Selah!
Producing A Harvest . . .
Here's another story Jesus told: "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seeds in his field. But that night as the workers slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat, then slipped away. When the crop began to grow and produce grain, the weeds also grew. The farmer's workers went to him and said, 'Sir, the field where you planted that good seed is full of weeds! Where did they come from?' 'An enemy has done this!' The farmer explained. 'Should we pull out the weeds?' they asked. 'No,' he replied, 'you'll uproot the wheat if you do. Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn them, and to put the wheat in the barn'" (Matthew 13:24-30, NLT).
His disciples said, "Please explain to us the story of the weeds in the field." Jesus replied, 'The Son of Man is the farmer who plants the good seed. The field is the world, and the good seed represents the people of the Kingdom. The weeds are the people who belong to the evil one. The enemy who planted the weeds among the wheat is the devil. The harvest is the end of the world, and the harvesters are the angels. Just as the weeds are sorted out and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the world. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will remove from his Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. And that angels will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father's Kingdom. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!'" (Matthew 13:36-43, NLT).
Lastly, the apostle Paul puts it like this: "Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: 'The Lord knows those who are His,' and, 'Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels [believers] of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. Flee also youthful lusts, but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart" (2 Timothy 2:19-22, NKJV).
After previewing this view, my accountability partner for 44 years wrote:
"My prayer to the Lord is to be a vessel of honor, holy and pure and ready for the Master's use. That way, He will be clearly seen in me." Brother Lyle, Hacienda Heights, CA.
A Prayer For You . . .
"We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom with his blood and forgave our sins" (Colossians 1:9b-14, NLT). Amen!