Matthew 13: 3-8; 18-23 (NIV)
Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop – a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
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“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
I have been reading through Matthew over the past week and this parable stuck out to me this morning. I have been thinking about what Ryan said at Awakening on Sunday about being right with God and knowing who He is. I come from a family that does not have a Christian background, and am the only one in my immediate family that openly shares about my relationship with Christ. I have tried to talk about my beliefs with my family, but they have heard so many hypocritical things about Christians and seen so many things that they are skeptical to believe. Although I feel that this is something that cannot be changed, I am trusting in God that my relationship with Him will be a light and example to my family around me.
With these thoughts running through my head this morning, I couldn’t help but get caught up in this parable. Jesus is speaking to a large crowd (verses 3-8) and telling them this story to teach them about being a follower of God. He later explains the meaning of this parable to his disciples. I love this parable because it is such a great analogy and easy to understand.
Seed trying to grow on path = someone who hears the message of Christ but does not understand it, Satan can easily snatch them away.
Seed trying to grow on rocky ground = someone who hears the message of Christ and receives it immediately with joy, but has no solid grounding in the Word and when trouble comes, they are easily led astray.
Seed trying to grow among thorns = someone who has heard the word, but worries about the world and life, making their life on Earth worthless.
Seed trying to grow on fertile ground = someone who hears the word, and understands it; producing fruit and making disciples of Christ.
This reality frightened me because most of my family is in the category that hears the message of Christ but does not understand it. This is where Satan is most powerful and can easily trick people into believing his lies. I am even more determined now to learn and fully understand the word of God, and spread the Good News to those around me. I want to be sure that those who hear about God understand His words so that they are protected from Satan.
I was also challenged to look at myself. Am I a seed that is trying to grow on rocky ground?! Or am I a seed that is trying to grow on fertile ground?
I challenge you to ask yourself the same questions, and if the answer is anything but growing on fertile ground, I challenge you further to dig deeper into the word of God and to fully understand Him in all his glory! It is only through fully understanding who He is that we are able to fight against Satan and live for God.
Author: Laura Watkins