December 8 - Parable of the Sower: Main Elements

The Bible is God’s written Word, but His Son is the Living Word who gives Scripture life. Christ told the Jewish leaders, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me” (John 5:39).

This parable centers on proclaiming the gospel and, perhaps more important, concerns the “heart soils” on which that truth, in seed form, falls as the sower preaches. Our Lord goes on to describe four such soils, representing four different hearts that hear the gospel.

Although every human heart is essentially hostile toward God (Rom. 8:7; Eph. 2:15–16), every one has the potential for redemption. If a heart does not respond savingly, it is because of its own sin and refusal to believe. Jesus declares, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out” (John 6:37).

In a general sense, any of us who preaches or testifies to the gospel is a sower of God’s Word. This parable thus reminds us of the need to be faithful in truly presenting the gospel, given the wonderful results that can occur. As William Arnot wrote: “As every leaf of the forest and every ripple on the lake, which itself receives a sunbeam on its breast, may throw the sunbeam off again, and so spread the light around; in like manner, everyone, old or young, who receives Christ into his heart may and will publish with his life and lips that blessed name.”

How have you experienced one or more of the various soils’ responses to your sharing of gospel truth? What have you learned about the reasons why various people respond to Christ’s message of salvation in different ways?

Matthew 13:18 “Therefore hear the parable of the sower:

19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.
20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.
22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. <
23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

I think:

Verse 19 are those that either don't understand or willfully reject the salvation message
Verse 20-21 describes someone who is happy to hear the salvation message but "Has no root in himself". I think that is someone who never acts on the message. Never claims the promise of salvation through prayer.
verse 22 describes the Carnal Christian. The gospel takes root and the person accepts salvation. But he is unfruitful because he is swamped by the cares of this world. I think the description of the carnal Christian, "1 Corinthians 3:15, KJV: If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire."
Verse 23 is the mature Christian. He has studied scripture and prepared himself to do good work. And he is producing fruit.

” What have you learned about the reasons why various people respond to Christ’s message of salvation in different ways? “

I know that some I’ve witnessed to through the years have hardened their hearts to such a point that they become very angry and abusive if they even hear the title and name, Christ Jesus.

It happens.

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