Matthew 13:1-9 “The Parable of the Sower”

“That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: ‘A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.'”

I know this is a common story, but take a moment to re-read the passage above. It’s popular for a reason.

After sharing His parable publicly, Jesus explains the parable in private to his disciples. This is the only recorded time that Jesus explains a parable. Usually, this is the time I go on to explain how a passage spoke to me, and I dissect it — but this passage speaks for itself. Christ Himself explained it. I’m know I can’t do it an better.

Matthew 13:19-23

“When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

These verses speak volumes to the whole world. They speak even deeper to those of us who call ourselves Christians. Jesus is asking us which seed we are, which seed our family is, our neighbors, co-workers, etc. How are we receiving the Gospel? He’s asking us what we’re going to do about it. He may even be suggesting that not everyone is going to be “sown on good soil.” Either way, it’s definitely a call to action.

Take some time right now, and into this week, to pray about those around you and how God might be trying to use you to pursue their hearts for the Gospel.

Think about it.