Did you know that 1/3 of Jesus’ teaching was in parables? Why would He teach this way?
Well, it’s important we look at the meaning. The Greek word for parable is parabole and means, “to cast beside.” A parable is an illustrative story, by which a familiar idea is cast beside an unfamiliar idea in such a way that the comparison helps people to better understand and grasp the unfamiliar idea.
So in order for people to understand spiritual truths, Jesus illustrated by using word pictures they were familiar with. I love the word picture from today’s parable: the sower and the seed. I used Mark 4:1-20 to explore this incredible truth.
You may want to read through this passage before going further.
Here’s what each symbol represents:
The sower (anyone who spreads the Word of God, or God Himself)
The seed (the Word of God)
The soil (the hearts of people).
I believe this parable shows us that what we do with the Word of God is vital to our spiritual growth and to our kingdom work. What we do with the Word of God is the difference between bearing fruit or not.
And believe me, we definitely want to bear fruit for Jesus.
As the seed is sown, it fell on 4 different kinds of soil. Let’s unpack this…
The footpath!
These are the people who hear the gospel, but reject it. They are unbelievers. Jesus tells us that once the gospel is presented, Satan quickly takes it away. They want nothing to do with it. These people simply do not think they need God.
This soil represents a HARD heart.
**Of course, no heart is too hard for God, so keep praying for those you know with this kind of heart.
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The rocky soil!
These people have received Christ, but they never did anything with the Word of God, so their roots never grew. Roots cannot grow in the rocks. For a time, these people found joy in Christ – they were excited and loved the new adventure. But as soon as problems came, they got disillusioned and fell away.
These people do not take the Word of God down deep. They simply do nothing with it.
This soil represents a SHALLOW heart.
We need to evaluate what we’re doing with the Word of God, because when our roots are securely planted, we can stand against anything – we will not fall.
The thorny soil!
These people allow everything else to take precedence over the Word of God. It seems they have one foot in the kingdom and another foot in the world. Jesus says it’s the worries of life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things.
Jesus calls these things “weeds.” They have allowed the weeds to take over and any gardener knows that good plants cannot grow if the soil is filled with weeds.
This is the person…
– with no real change
– who is unhappy
– who has a hard time trusting God
– who looks for acceptance in people and the world
– who is lukewarm in their faith.
Jesus issued this warning to the Church at Laodicea: “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:15-16)!
This person cannot walk in the victory of Christ!
Their tree is not producing fruit.
This soil represents a CROWDED heart!
Sadly, I believe many believers fall into this category. So, let me encourage you get to the gardening and pull those weeds out. Israel is a rocky land. When the farmers purchased land, they had to go through and remove the rocks before they planted. This was the only way their crops could survive and bear fruit. We need to do the same.
The fertile soil!
The ones with this soil allow God’s Word to take root into their hearts. This is the soil God looks for in His people.
These people allow God’s Word to…
– change them
– convict them
– lead them
– show them a better a way
– be their go-to
They don’t just hear God’s Word, but they listen to it and do what it says.
They love God’s Word. They meditate on it day and night.
This soil represents a GOOD heart!
When soil is tender and fertile, a crop will come forth – a crop that bears much fruit.
I pray each of us will strive to have this kind of heart… a heart that truly honors God and exalts His Word.
Please share this with others.
Blessings,
