"Searching the Scriptures and Seeking the Lost"
Behold A Sower Went Forth To Sow
by Wayne Jones
A parable has been described as an “earthly story with a heavenly meaning.” Thus, Jesus would take an earthly, everyday story and reveal a heavenly truth there from. Such is the case with the parable of the sower. The parable depicts a man who planted the seed in four different soils. The results of his planting were also as various as the soils. Christ later applies these familiar situations with teaching lost souls. We are to sow the seed as did this particular man. The hearts of men will be different. Thus, we will have different results. Nevertheless, we have a commission and a challenge to teach all men about Christ.
The first particular soil is described as the wayside soil. Matthew records: “And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up” (Matt. 13:4). Although the soil was not prepared to take the seed, it was still planted. This type of soil represents the heart of a man or woman who does not want to hear the truth. In the explanation of this parable (Mat. 13:18-23) Jesus identifies the wicked one as the one who removes the Word from this type of heart. Satan has control of these people because they have submitted to him. We need to guard against this even in our own lives.
The second type of soil in which the sower planted is known as the stony soil. Matthew writes of this soil: “Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away” (Matt. 13:5-6). This type of soil represents the heart that does not take root in the Word of God. It may receive and initially obey the truth. However, when he does not study and ground himself in God’s Word, he may, very well, fall away. Sadly, we know people who fit this description. No matter how long we have been Christians, we should always be working to root ourselves deeper in the knowledge of God’s Holy Word!
The next kind of soil mentioned by Christ was the thorny soil. Matthew records: “And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them” (Matt. 13:7). This individual received the Word and remained faithful for a time, but when the trials and struggles of life became “too much” he fell and was choked out. It is for this very reason that we have endless warnings about loving Christ and not loving the world. For if we love the world, then sooner or later we will be choked out by the cares thereof.
The final soil the Christ speaks of is called the good soil. This soil lives up to the name it has been given. This soil is prepared and ready to receive and cultivate the seed planted within it. Thus, it represents the heart that is prepared to accept and obey the truth that God revealed in His Word. Christ spoke this: “But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold” (Matt. 13:8). May it be said of our hearts that they are good soil!