“Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: ‘Behold, a sower went out to sow.’” — Matthew 13:3
Parables are short allegorical stories designed to illustrate or teach some truth, religious principle or moral lesson. Parables can be easily understood by the listeners because of their familiar analogies.
Jesus taught in parables because the people were either unwilling to receive His message or really didn’t want to hear what He had to say. He was speaking spiritual truths. Parables must be understood from a spiritual perspective. Jesus knew that the listener who has “ears to hear” would comprehend the meaning of His messages.
The same scenario exists today. Humanity has the opportunity to receive the truth, but many chose to ignore it, opting instead for “alternative facts.” God gives every person the chance to accept the message of Jesus. In Jesus’ day, His ministry was attested by miracles, and He offered the proper credentials as Messiah. Yet many did not believe Him then, and many do not believe him now.
In Matthew 13, Jesus taught about a sower, seeds and soil. Every Christian should be a sower. We look to Christ and our spiritual leaders to be the designated sowers of the Word of God, and rightly so. But any one of us who considers themselves to be a Christian has a biblical mandate and responsibility to be sowers of seed (the Word of God). Jesus also teaches us that there are four types of soil: wayside, stony, thorny and good. He challenges us to ask ourselves the question: “What type of soil are you?”
The wayside represents the close-minded hearer. This person hears the Word of God but does not understand it. Seed that falls by the wayside is eaten up by the birds who represent the Evil One (Satan). In essence, the Word of God is snatched away before that person has the opportunity to open their minds and fully receive it.
Stony soil represents the emotional hearer. This person hears the Word of God and receives it with joy. But because the Word does not take root, when tribulation and persecution come, because of the Word the emotional hearer is shaken and offended. They simply don’t believe whatever adverse is happening should be happening to them.
Thorny soil represents the wandering mind hearer. This person hears the Word of God, as well. However, the cares of this world and deceitfulness choke out what they’ve heard, and they become unfruitful (which implies at one point that they were fruitful).
Finally, there is good soil (or good ground). Good soil represents the steadfast and understanding mind hearer. This person not only hears the Word of God, but they also understand it and begin to produce fruit at three levels: 100-fold, 60-fold and 30-fold.
In closing, it is instructive to note that only one-fourthof all seed sown produces any form of harvest. The other three-fourths do not. This depends totally upon the soil. The Sower (Jesus) is still sowing seed (the Word of God). What kind of soil are you?
Dr. Preston T. Adams III is senior pastor at Amazing Grace Christian Church in Indianapolis. Contact Pastor Adams via email at seniorpastor@agccindy.org or via Twitter @DrPrestonTAdams. For more information, visit agccindy.org.
