Devotion 7.11.26

Matthew 13

The Parable of the Sower

1 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. 2 And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. 5 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, 6 but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8 Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 He who has ears, let him hear.”

Jesus teaches us that God's Word takes root in good soil, and it also dies, takes root temporarily, or is consumed by earthly ways.

What kind of farmer recklessly tosses seed that costs who knows how much per bag? What we know about Jesus stories', known as "parables," is that they were believable stories with an intent. No one ever asks the kind of question like the one I asked at the start. Apparently, a sower of seed tossed seed aiming at good soil, but also attempting to gain as much yield as possible, he tossed it to grow the harvest as wide as possible.

If you have ever taught, you know what it is like to teach something and have it take root. As a retired educator, I hear this story like a man who has taught. Did you not sit in the same classroom as the rest of this class? I thought on several occasions. Do you not remember this from a month ago? I might ask on others. Did you not listen? Hear? Pay attention? Teaching is, and always has been, a tough business. Set aside biases about today's educators for a second, or biases on the culture. It is as tough today as it was in Christ's time. His parable tells us that. In fact, his disciples tell us that in the next set of verses.

After a lengthy discussion on the use of parables, Christ does something he rarely, if ever does: he explains the meaning of the parable to the hearers.

The Parable of the Sower Explained

18 “Hear then the parable of the sower: 19 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. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 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. 22 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. 23 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.”

It is worth noting that God is the sower. It is worth nothing that Jesus doesn't say that sowing is a one-time event. It is also worth noting that God's Spirit is with us when we sow for God.

Pray that our hearts are open to hear God's Word. Pray that it takes root and grows. Pray we learn it so that we can share it with others. Pray that God give us wisdom when we teach or share his Word. Pray before you share that God give you the words necessary and that it's about God's Word, not your own. Pray for the hearer, that his or her heart be open to the message of Christ. Amen.

Hope Men's Ministry is a ministry in service to Hope Lutheran Church and School. Our purpose is to grow, unite, and share God's Word to all men through meaningful activities. These activities center on fellowship, service, conversation, prayer, study and devotion as we seek to become men of God as He created us to be.