Parable of the Sower: 2 Reasons It’s Important
The parable of the sower reveals its importance to Christians. I see myself in each scenario Jesus presents in Matthew 13. On any given day, what’s in my heart could fit one or more of the descriptions.
Farmers probably understand this parable better than anyone. They sow and reap year after year. The yield (sum of what they harvest) goes up or down dependent on a range of uncontrollable factors. Undoubtedly, discouragement sets in when nothing seems to work. I can relate!
So, what is the lesson of the parable of the sower? From my viewpoint, I’m responsible for what happens to God’s Word in my heart. What I do with it has consequences but I can change at any time with God’s help.
Here is the scripture for review.
Matthew 13 Parable of the Sower
Matthew 13:3-8, 12, 18 – 23 (KJV)
3 Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them.
5 Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. 6 But when the sun was up they scorched, and because they had no root they withered away.
7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. 8 But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
12 For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.
18 “Therefore hear the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.
20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.
22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. 23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”
Here are two reasons to take a close look at what this scripture teaches.
Reason #1: The Parable of the Sower Teaches Us the Importance of Hearing
Everyone has the same opportunity to hear God’s Word. That all changes based on your heart condition and how well you hear scripture’s message. Therefore, one person may produce a large harvest while the next person comes up short. Jesus tells us why that happens.
You must HEAR and UNDERSTAND the written Word spiritually without watering down its truth to pacify your head and heart.
I’ve done that! It never works!
The size and quality of your harvest depend on YOU.
Every day, Christians stay on the sidelines (the wayside) rather than in God’s presence to receive revelation, bow to persecution rather than go deeper with God (stony places), be influenced by what happens around them (thorns), or hear the Word and protect it deep in their heart to bear fruit.
Even when seed scatters on good soil, people may have a 30, 60, or 100 percent harvest. Again, there’s a reason for this. The size of your harvest depends on hearing the Word, understanding it, and applying it to your life, every day without fail. Additionally, you ask the Holy Spirit to open up your spirit when you hit a spiritual brick wall.
Reason #2: The Parable of the Sower Teaches the Importance of Receiving
Look at verse 12 again. This verse refers to abundance. Who doesn’t want an overflow in all areas of their lives?
Each Christian has the same access to God’s Word which is the seed that produces. It must reach the inner man where the Holy Spirit resides to become profitable. A common condition exists.
People hear the Word but never receive it.
And, they probably don’t realize that’s what happens until they see Christians excel at everything.
Parable of the Sower: How do you receive God’s Word?
- Believe it’s possible: Most of us jump to the conclusion that our hearts are good soil without taking stock of any symptoms that suggest otherwise. We must stay in God’s presence and ask for His help so our spiritual roots grow deep.
- Listen to Jesus’ suggestion in Luke 8:18: “ Be careful therefore how you listen. For to him who has [spiritual knowledge] will more be given; and from him who does not have [spiritual knowledge], even what he thinks and guesses and supposes that he has will be taken away.”
- Shuffle your seed: If seed lands among stones and thorns a lot of the time, put yourself in a position to receive and see every word from God as treasures and jewels.
- Become and stay humble: Pride is always ready to rise up and overtake your spirit and flesh. Depending on yourself instead of God is a recipe for failure. Submitting to God, His authority and holiness cast down pride so you can hear God speak.
I like George Spurgeon’s 1879 parable of the sower commentary on this subject.
“While I am like the unsown soil I am simply to receive the seed when it is scattered; but after the-scattering of the seed, if I think I have received it, I must see to it that I am not deceived. I must watch that the word really does lodge in the furrows of my soul, for unless that be the case, beyond all question, so far from obtaining growth in grace, I shall by-and-by lose what I think I have, and I shall be openly proved to be barren and unfruitful.
If I have received the light of heaven into my soul, however small its beginnings, the Lord will add a gracious increase, and as I follow on to know him I shall be as the shining light which shineth more and more unto the perfect day. If I am a mere pretender I shall fade away, but if I am a sincere believer I shall become brighter and brighter.”
A quick, no-nonsense parable of the sower summary is that it shows us the importance of hearing, understanding, and receiving God’s Word.
Jesus confirms that it’s possible.
Luke 8:15 (AMPC)
But as for that [seed] in the good soil, these are [the people] who, hearing the Word, hold it fast in a just (noble, virtuous) and worthy heart, and steadily bring forth fruit with patience.
Yes and Amen!