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Parable of the Sower
Seasons of Life for the
Child of God
(Found in Matthew 13:3-23, Mark 4:3-20, and Luke
8:4-15) There
are many things that our Lord taught while He walked this earth, and the method
most commonly utilized was speaking by way of parables. A parable uses a
natural example to teach a higher spiritual truth. In studying parables and
other Biblical stories, keep in mind not all the elements may have a spiritual
significance. Like a portrait, the red of the paint in the picture might be
symbolic of something, but the paint itself constructs the portrait. So, in
parables, one must realize that certain things may be used to set the natural
picture but not be part of the spiritual application. If we try to carry types
and shadows too far and make symbolism where none exists, many errors can result
in trying to rightly divide the meaning of different passages. Many
times, the parable confounds the wise of the world as it uses subject matter
that is considered -beneath- their concern, but the parable can be a great
source of understanding to the poor of this world as it uses a poor, working
man-s knowledge. Our Lord even told His disciples (which is relevant for us
today), -Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but
unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: That seeing
they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand;
lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven
them.- (Mark 4:11-12) To the
disciple of Christ, God reveals the mystery of the kingdom of heaven through
this manner of teaching, but to those that are without, it appears as just
foolishness and vain jangling. When the preaching of the gospel today is
proclaimed in much demonstration of the Spirit and with power, it is the power
of God unto salvation unto them that believe, but to them that perish, it is
just foolishness. (I Corinthians 1:18) Therefore, when looking at the parables
that Christ spoke, they should show forth the power of God to us as the
household of faith. In
addition to this, the parable of the sower is vitally important to our
understanding of Christ-s teachings. He declares this great importance to the
disciples, -And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will
ye know all parables?- (Mark 4:13) Our Lord Himself makes it plain that if we
do not understand the true teaching of this parable, then we cannot understand
any of the rest that follow. This is the first parable He gave, and we must
rightly divide what He teaches to the glory of God, edification of the saints,
and in this case, the utilization of further understanding in other teachings. We will
attempt to journey through the four pieces of ground that our Lord talks about
in this parable and show forth that all pieces of ground represent His children
at different seasons in their lives. The walk of a child of God has different
appearances due to the current state of discipleship (or lack thereof), and
these 4 plots of ground show forth the different seasons that we find ourselves
in over the course of our natural lives. Then, knowing the dangers and pitfalls
from Christ-s explanation of the parable, we can then proceed with the proper
course of action for rectifying problems and above all, bringing forth
acceptable fruit to God. Before
launching into this effort, we must first lay the foundation found in II Timothy
2:19, which states, -Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having
this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth
the name of Christ depart from iniquity.- While this parable does talk about
children of God at different seasons, this parable (or any other teaching of the
Bible) should not be used to try to prove in our daily lives who is a child of
God and who is not. We see positive evidences in different respects, but the
final chair of authority of this matter sits in heaven, and we should be content
to leave it with Him. Way Side
The
first plot of ground mentioned is the way side or what we might think of as
fallow ground. In the three gospel accounts, the way side has seed sown by the
sower that gets plucked up by the fowls of the air. Since the ground is fallow
(having no depth or furrow to lodge in), it becomes an easy target for birds to
carry away. When
Christ begins the explanation of the parable, He declares that the seed is the
word. This word is preached (sown) by the sower in a -broadcast- fashion. The
expression -broadcast- is an old farming term that means scattered in every
direction. If a farmer sowed seed in his field in a -broadcast- manner, his
scattering will find many different areas of ground. Some of the seed will land
in furrowed areas and others will land outside the furrows in thorny, fallow, or
stony ground. The sower proceeds in this manner, and the gospel minister today
has little idea sometimes what kind of ground he sows to in the congregation.
There may be a little of all types in one congregation, but the preaching is
done in this way. Now,
some declare that the word sown by the way side cannot be a child of God as
Satan carries it away. However, our Lord plainly declares that the word sown is
sown in the heart. (Mark 4:15) The word that the minister of the gospel
of Jesus Christ preaches and proclaims will find no lodging (even temporarily)
in the heart of a goat. When Stephen preached to some in an unregenerate
state in acts 7, it found no lodging but rather cut them right down TO the
heart. The preached word will NEVER go IN the heart of one that is not of the
Lord. So, why
does Satan or the wicked one carry it away? The reason Satan carries off the
preached word is because the plot of ground lacks understanding. (Matthew 13:19)
When God regenerates one of His children by His Spirit, God does not immediately
endow His child with profound knowledge of all or many spiritual things. It
takes much time, study, meditation, and pressing into the kingdom to learn of
what has been done for us and what our behaviour should be (breaking up the
fallow clods of this body). Now, we
need to discern the difference between the heart and the mind for the
application of certain concepts in this parable. The word sown in the heart
shows forth that the heart can receive this word. The heart naturally is hard
and stony, but spiritually (after regeneration) made a heart of flesh. (Ezekiel
36:25-26) We use the mind for the service of the Lord. Paul declared at the
close of the discussion on the warfare of a child of God that his mind served
the law of God. (Romans 7:25) So, the difference between the heart and the mind
is that the Lord makes one new, and we use the other in service to that
new-found life. The
reason that this is so important is that our minds (what we serve with) can
become clouded if the flesh (clods of ground) start crowding in. The heart is
alive and changed (with Christ as its image), but the mind can be overrun by the
body if we do not serve the Lord in newness of life. -For thus saith the LORD
to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not
among thorns.- (Jeremiah 4:3) Breaking up this fallow ground means that we clear
the clods out so that the mind has its understanding and vision clear for the
plow of service. So, this account shows that the joy of the service (coming
from the preached word) is taken from the heart. The heart is still intact,
alive, and holy, but the joy of the Lord has been stolen, making our minds
cloudy and our service weak.
Sometimes in my life I am blessed to be in the Lord-s service carried away above
this world in the mountain of our God. Then, sometimes just moments after the
service ends, I find myself again without understanding (in the mind) for not
applying the instruction that I heard. We are commanded to grow in grace and
knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (II Peter 3:18) If we do not
increase our understanding, we are ill-prepared to stand against the wiles of
the devil and are subject to having the preached word stolen from us for not
keeping it in memory (or in mind) as we should. (I Corinthians 15:2) We
cannot lose our eternal home, beloved, but our joy of His salvation is subject
to be removed based on our laziness. So, the way side ground can be
representative of a babe in Christ (in understanding), but fallow ground can
also come about due to lack of cultivation. As stewards of the mysteries of
God, it is required that we be faithful in our duties. If we -rest on our
laurels- so to speak, the ground can become hardened and unreceptive to the
preached word. Then, we will find ourselves in paths that are not pleasing to
our heavenly Father. The
stony ground is probably where I meet most of the Lord-s children outside the
Lord-s church, and I am apt to find myself very quickly in the stony ground if I
am not careful. The stony ground comes about primarily from lack of
cultivation. When you find a farm that has rocks in the field and furrows, you
will also find a lazy farmer. Rocks and stones seem to continually find lodging
in this low ground of sin and sorrow. As with
all the pieces of ground, this particular plot MUST be children of God. When
Christ explains the parable, He declares that they on the stony ground are they
that hear the word and receive it with joy. (Matthew 13:20) Now, the Holy
Scriptures declare that joy is the fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23)
Fruit is a manifestation of the root or cause of the matter, so this plot must
be born of the Spirit to be able to manifest joy. As we
differentiated the heart and mind above, we now will seek to do the same with
joy and happiness. Happiness is an emotion that all men have as a result of
something going according to their desires. When a natural man gets his way
(whether it be more money, fame, or friends), he will be happy about his
circumstance. However, joy is not synonymous with this emotion. Many times,
joy accompanies happiness, but true joy comes from within and comes from an
overflowing of a glad heart. Consider a funeral service for a loved one.
Naturally, there is nothing to be happy about. How could the flesh have
anything to glory in on this occasion? However,
joy can come if one sees that their loved one has been relieved of all
suffering, affliction, and tribulation. Indeed, sorrow results over the loss of
the fellowship, but joy also results at the calling of another precious child of
God to heaven and immortal glory. The crucifixion of Christ similarly follows
this situation: much sorrow exists in thinking of that event because our sins
put Him there; but, much joy also exists in thinking of what great things He has
done for us and how much we have to look forward to. Seeing
then that the stony ground must be speaking of children of God, how is it
applicable? Our Lord says that these receive it with joy, and then the sun
withers them; for, they have no depth of root or earth. When looking at the
natural realm, a plant that springs up from amongst the stones has no strength,
and it can easily be dashed. When viewing the spiritual realm, no depth of
earth comes when we fill our minds with the stones of life. By filling our
minds with the notions of man, we do not put self aside for our Master. Notice
that our Lord says the reason these fell away from lack of depth was because
they were offended when afflictions arose for the word-s sake. (Mark 4:17) The
Lord-s children that reside in stony ground are easily offended, and they do not
earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints. (Jude 3) It takes
great discipline of mind to put self aside and shamelessly follow the Lamb. It
takes great humility and stripping of pride to not only love your friends but
love your enemies as well. Notice
the multitude that followed Christ in John 6. He fed them with natural loaves
in the miracle of the feeding of 5,000, and He fed them with spiritual loaves in
the teaching of Himself as the bread of life. During His sermon, He reproves
their prideful attitude for holding on to Moses and the law as their strength
and comfort. Finally, many of them say, -This is an hard saying; who can hear
it?- (John 6:60) Then, a few verses later we read, -From that time many of his
disciples went back, and walked no more with him.- (John 6:66) These
disciples quit following after the Lamb of God, for they could not remove their
own selfish pride. It is a hard saying sometimes to forget the things of the
flesh (rocks). We have our own notions of the way things ought to be, and we
demonstrate much pride if we continue holding on to them. When someone thinks
highly of himself, he will not enjoy hearing how worthless and wretched we were
by nature, and we had absolutely nothing to do with our eternal redemption.
Sometimes, our minds have a rock in them that says, -You-re not so bad; there is
a spark of good in everyone.- These
rocks need -chunking- into the ditch and out of the field. When labouring in
the vineyard of the Lord, sometimes our minds need cleaning before we can
properly focus on the field of labour in the kingdom. After we remove the
stones, then we will not be offended when persecutions and afflictions arise.
Rather, we can rejoice as the Apostles did that they were counted worthy to
suffer these reproaches for His name-s sake. (acts 5:41)
Thorny Ground Thorny
ground in the natural world comes as a direct result of sin. One of God's
first
curses was upon the ground. He cursed it so that it brought forth thorns and
thistles, and man has to work the ground to earn the bread that he eats.
(Genesis 3:17-19) In a spiritual sense, we must work our ground to lay aside the
sin that doth so easily beset us and run our race with patience looking unto
Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith. (Hebrews 12:2) We have
laboured to prove that the way side and thorny ground represent children of God
in different seasons, and we contend the same for the thorny ground. When
looking at the accounts, both Matthew and Mark use the term that the cares of
life choke the word so that it becometh -unfruitful.- (Matthew 13:22, Mark 4:19)
In Luke-s account, the term used is that it brought -no fruit unto perfection.-
(Luke 8:14) These terms talk of the same thing, and some might use them to prove
that this lack of perfect fruit and unfruitful state is descriptive of the
non-elect. However, let us consider another passage that has similar language. -And
beside all this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue
knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to
patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly
kindness charity. For if these things be in you and abound, they make you that
ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus
Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and
hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.- (II Peter 1:5-9) Here,
Peter instructs the disciple of Christ on what to do. After God imparts the
faith in regeneration, we need to be up and about the Master-s business to add
some things for His glory and our benefit. What is the end result of not doing
these things? The end result is that we are barren and UNFRUITFUL. We have no
knowledge, and while we may have once known about the work of Jesus Christ
purging us from our old sins (different season of life), the current state is
such that we are blind and without this wonderful knowledge. Consider
the plant that grows up among thorns. It has some springing forth (under the
preaching of the gospel or sowing of the seed), but the thorns choke out what
shoots forth. These things that choke out are referred to as the -cares of this
world- or the -deceitfulness of riches.- Certainly, we have examples of the
Lord-s children that have fallen into this circumstance. The thorns in the
world kept them from following and attending to the preaching of the gospel in
spirit and in truth. Consider
the case of the rich, young ruler in Mark 10. We need not have to wonder
whether he is a child of God or not, for the Scriptures boldly proclaim that
Christ loved him. Therefore, we do not question that state of the man.
However, even though he seems earnest in his venture to seek out the place of
our Lord, what does he do in the end? He runs to Jesus seeking something, but
what he finds directly conflicts with the riches he has gained in this world.
The riches that he had blinded (deceived) him and turned him away from the plain
teaching of Christ to leave the wealth of the world behind to follow the Lord.
He sorrowed because the world-s wealth was his prime motivation, whereas others,
like Moses, left the riches of the world to suffer the reproach of Christ.
(Hebrews 11:25-26) Having
addressed the phrase -deceitfulness of riches,- let us look at the other phrase
-cares of this world.- The thorns also describe the cares of life, and
certainly many things pull our attention in many places. We all have cares and
trials, but the thorny ground refers to those that let those cares keep their
attention. If thorns and the plant grow together, the thorns are positioned in
such a way to focus the attention downward instead of upward. We are worried
about getting pricked instead of looking to be fed. When
Peter was blessed to walk on water with his Master, it is obvious that there
were waves and tempests when he was walking on the water. (Matthew 14:22-33)
However, when did he sink? He began to sink when he focused his eyes on those
raging billows and waves. The cares of life will never be non-existent for the
child of God this side of heaven and immortal glory. However, their existence
is no excuse to take our eyes off Jesus. One of the greatest pitfalls we can
fall into is thinking that after baptism, confession, repentance, or any of
these other acts of obedience that our life will become rosy, sweet, and
blissful. We will experience blissful seasons with whiffs of the world to come
while pressing into the kingdom, but our lives are more difficult after these
things as Satan tries to direct our eyes downward instead of homeward. As the
fallow ground needed breaking and the stones needed chunking, the thorns need
uprooting. When a thorn (weed) of riches or care springs up, we need to take it
from our eyes. We are all susceptible to idolatry of some form or fashion, and
sometimes they come very quickly. Weeds always grow faster than the plants we
try to grow, and therefore, we need to be continually weeding the briars of life
out and pressing toward the mark in our lives that Jesus Christ has set. Good
Ground The good
ground needs no explanation as to a gracious state by the Almighty as He bestows
all good gifts and perfect gifts. (James 1:17) If we have anything in our lives
that can be called good, then the root cause and source must be the source of
all goodness. However, this ground still has degrees of fruitfulness. In all
of the other plots of ground, we found that the fruit-bearing aspect was
lacking, but even in the good ground, we find that some bring forth more than
others (30, 60, and 100). So, let
us consider the parallel passages to discover how we can be more fruitful in our
walk and service to our Master. In the account of Luke 8, there is only mention
of 100 fold fruit. In Mark 4 and Matthew 13, they mention some 30 some 60 and
some 100. So, what is the difference? Since Luke only mentions 100 fold fruit,
let us look at the close of that explanation. -But
that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having
heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.- (Luke 8:15)
Notice this 100 fold fruit fulfilled three categories. They heard the word,
kept the word, and brought forth fruit with patience. When one
hears the word of the gospel of Jesus Christ proclaimed in demonstration of the
Spirit and with power, a tender heart from the Lord receives His word and
desires to serve Him in gratitude for His goodness. Notice that this good
ground is ready for the preaching. Good ground is ploughed, furrowed, and rowed
up for the seed to take root in. There is much preparation that needs to be
done before even reaching the Lord-s house. If we arrive in an unprepared
state, we may be as one of the first three plots of ground. However,
if we receive the word with all readiness of mind, there is a blessing in
knowing the things that the Lord reveals in His word through preaching. Even
those at Thessalonica believed under the sound of Paul and Silas-s preaching.
(acts 17:4) While they did not do much after that, there was still some evidence
and fruit that Paul and Silas were seeing productivity in the work of the gospel
at this place. Therefore, those that hear the gospel and believe are those that
bring forth fruit 30 fold. Let us never be found minimizing the importance of
believing in Jesus Christ under the sound of the gospel trumpet. It has great
importance to us as believers, and the glory of the Lord is magnified in this
behaviour. Still,
the labour of love in discipleship does not end with receiving the word from the
preaching of the gospel. One of the predominant teachings of the Bible is that
we should seek to serve Him at all times. We should not serve Him one hour of
one day every week. So, after receiving the gospel with all readiness of mind,
we need to keep it or apply it to our lives. Shortly after Paul and Silas
removed from Thessalonica, they encountered the folks at Berea. These were more
noble than those at Thessalonica for a very important reason. Those at
Thessalonica stopped at the point of believing in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Due to this shortened view, they did not keep the word by searching the
Scriptures daily to see if Paul and Silas-s teachings were so. After receiving
the word, we need to keep it, and study to shew ourselves approved unto God. (II
Timothy 2:15) In so doing, we should not be ashamed of what others might say,
for we seek acceptance from on High and not from beneath. The preacher cannot
fully delve into all the aspects of the Bible in one ministerial lifetime. Even
if he could, not everyone would hear all of his efforts. There needs to be
attendance given by the hearers to the word at times other than the services and
days of feasting. So we
see that hearing the word needs to be followed closely with keeping the word and
being diligent in our efforts. These that keep the word, having received it,
and continue to search it are the 60 fold fruit. So, one might inquire, -After
hearing and keeping, what more must be done?- Hearing
the word, knowing what to do, and keeping the word should make a difference in
our walk. When people see our mannerisms, behaviour, manner of conversation,
and conduct with our brethren, they should see something different in us than
what they see in the world. One can sit under the sound of the gospel and keep
the words of the gospel that are sown into the heart, but bringing forth fruit
with patience manifests to others that the gospel has lodged in their heart.
Our Adamic nature that still resides in this body of death does not have
patience, which makes fruit bearing inherently difficult. Our
world today could be aptly described as an -instant gratification society.- We
desire everything yesterday, today is too late, and tomorrow is an eternity to
wait. Many of us experience trials far less in magnitude than our forefathers
yet they seem to impact us as if they were great mountains to scale. Even with
furrowed ground that has the fallow clods broken up, the weeds, briars, and
thorns removed, and all the rocks and stones chunked over the fencerow, things
will still creep in. Every farmer knows that one weeding is not enough. The
wind will continue to bring the rocks back into the field. Without constant
breaking and tilling, the clods will gather once more.
Therefore, after having been fruitful, we need to be patient and diligent to
bring forth even more fruit. To be the ground that brings forth fruit 100 fold
takes patience and effort that I am afraid I have failed miserably at in my
endeavours. When a trouble arises shortly after the Lord-s service, our daily
prayers, meditations, or studies, we should look past it toward our heavenly
home that has righteousness dwelling there forevermore. When
looking at discipleship, no one (save Jesus) suffered more in the flesh than the
Apostle Paul. II Corinthians 11 lays out the sufferings that he endured for the
sake of preaching the gospel. And yet, Paul willingly suffered shame, reproach,
and affliction for his Lord, for there was nothing worth anything more to Paul
than Jesus. -But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord
Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.-
(Galatians 6:14) When we
know and understand that Jesus has suffered for us like no man has suffered, we
can then glory in the fact that what we have to bear is light and but for a
moment. When by faith we can see that our present sufferings are not worthy to
be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us, what could possibly be
worthy of holding our affection away from Him? He has prepared for us a home
that far exceeds anything beyond our wildest imagination.
Therefore, knowing these things what manner of persons ought we to be? Shortly
after that question Peter tells us to -grow in grace, and in the knowledge of
our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever.
Amen.- (II Peter 3:18) When we have heard the gospel proclaimed and have
dedicated ourselves to keeping it, we need to constantly seek to bring forth
more fruit. This duty is never-ending (this side of glory), for growth should
never cease. When we diligently seek Him in all of our endeavours, He has
promised to be with us in our efforts. (II Chronicles 7:14) Finally,
the glory for our growth in grace and knowledge should be focused on one
singular Person as we bring forth more and more fruit. We do it for His glory
and not ours. When one does these things and another gets the credit, a
faithful disciple of Jesus Christ will not get bent out of shape for not
receiving the credit. To the gospel minister, the Lord gets the credit for good
preaching. To the obedient follower, the Master gets the praise for the acts
and deeds of charity. He and He alone is worthy of all glory, honour, and
adulation.
Summary So, we
see from this parable that our Lord is not speaking to divide sheep from goats
as He will do at the end of time. Rather, He is showing the different periods
that we endure and travel through in the course of our lives as His children.
We may become hardened by our own pride, or we may break it up in preparation
for His cause. We may idolize our weeds and thorns, or we may pluck them out of
our lives to be fruitful for His name-s sake. We may be beaten by the rocks of
pride and stones of life, or we may tell them to be removed into yonder place to
set our affection on the One who sits upon the throne. The
different seasons, phases, and levels of discipleship can be hard to see in
accounts like this. When considering regeneration, one is either regenerate or
one is not. There is no gradient or slope, but it is a binary situation.
However, discipleship resembles a graded curve that we should be seeking to go
up and not slide down. While our walk may be noble during one hour, it may be
dishonorable the next. We can never lose our relationship to God, but our
fellowship with Him, in large part, comes from our obedience to His commandments
and precepts. -Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your
fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain
righteousness upon you.- (Hosea 10:12)
Therefore, knowing these things, may we seek the higher ground that comes from
bringing forth manifold fruit in His service. Sometimes, He will even purge us
when we bring forth fruit. We think of purging that comes from being
unfruitful. However, He also purges us when we are bringing forth fruit for the
sole purpose of bringing forth more fruit. (John 15:2) Therefore, let us not be
weary in well doing, but let us ever without any recourse or shame earnestly
follow our Lord all the days of our lives to bring forth much fruit for His
glory. Only then can we be called His disciples. (John 15:8) Philip
N. Conley Written:
October 19, 2006 Revised:
October 25, 2006 Revised:
January 23, 2007 Revised:
February 1, 2007 |