Scripture: Matthew 13:3-9
Jesus tended to offer His parables as everyday
examples that the people were very familiar with. But the message that His teaching contained
was anything but worldly in any degree whatsoever! It was solely spiritual in every possible
way, and had little to do with our cultural life. So today, we begin a new series based on 10
of Jesus’ parables that He offered for our benefit.
Today, we consider the Parable of The Sower. Now it’s true that Jesus offered a brief
interpretation of His story later in this chapter, but we will also be looking
at the lesson in consideration of the effect that the Lord had intended for our
lives.
Read Matthew 13:3-9
Jesus had been sitting peacefully on the shore of
the Sea of Galilee, but when the people saw Him there, they began to flock to where
He was, some seeking healing, some a blessing, and some just to hear the Lord
preach a message that they all wanted to hear and understand. So He left the beach, and moved into a boat
that was pulled up nearby, and began to teach.
The people were quite familiar with agrarian
concepts, so the story would strike very close to home. They knew about broadcast seeding, where the
seed was spread liberally across the field.
It wasn’t planted in narrow straight rows like we might do in our own
home gardens – it was thrown to cover as much area as possible! So the seed might land on the prepared soil,
or on the path that ran alongside the field, or even on ground that was outside
the bounds of the field.
This may sound like a waste of good seed, but there
were no mechanized tools for sowing, and time would be at a premium, so “fast
and thorough” was the preferred method.
But what about the seed that fell on areas that were outside the
intended field itself?
Seed that fell on the well-traveled path, would
never germinate, as the ground was well packed down and the seed quickly became
feed for the wildlife that saw this gift as an opportunity for a quick meal.
So initially, just who are these representing? The Sower is our Creator, the One who has brought us
to this place and time. The seeds are the people of this world, each of whom
is being exposed to differing trials and opportunities.
-
Seed that landed on the hard packed path, tell us that the ears and hearts of
many are closed to the Good News of Jesus Christ, and the servants of Satan
gobble them up quickly so that they can never discover the glory of God.
- Seed that falls on rocky soil, and only develop a weak
and inadequate root structure and will fail to obtain the proper nourishment –
this is like those who hear the word of God, but while they initially experience some joy in God’s word and way, they
quickly succumb to the pressures of persecution and worldly trials, because
their faith is shallow and they have no foundation or strength in faith.
-
Seed that fell among the thorns, were choked to the point that they could never
produce the good fruit that they were intended to provide, - these are those
who have sold out to the spirit of worldly temptations, such as wealth, and
power, and authority, and the drive to gain acceptance and admiration from the
people of Earth. They lacked the divine vison
that is always necessary in faith.
-
But the seed that fell on good soil, and became highly productive, are like
those who not only hear the word of God, but who also love and live that word,
and grow in faith on a daily basis. And
the crop that is produced by these is the gain that honors and glorifies our
Lord and Savior, and brings the Lord’s blessings to both the lost and hurting
of the world, as well as to the faithful Church!
So here is the bottom line - what does this Parable
mean for our own lives? I believe that,
as our Conference President-ProTem Steve Taylor mentioned at our District
meeting yesterday morning, it is a call to strengthen our church’s “Culture of
Call”.
And what does that mean? All Christians have been called into faithful
service by the Holy Spirit, but the question is, how many actually respond
enthusiastically to that call? This
doesn’t necessarily mean into pastoral ministry, but there are also many other
ways to live out our commitment of love for Jesus Christ.
- Have you felt a call to
visit shut-ins?
- Have
you felt the call to missional service?
- To
youth ministries?
- To
elder ministries?
-
To social justice ministries?
- To
be a loving and inviting witness to your unsaved neighbors?
There
will always be opportunities right where you are as a member of the church! And always to the Spirit’s leading toward
serving in a way that the Lord has already prepared you for. But we have to be aware of one potential problem, that initially the Lord’s “Call” may not be to what we prefer or
enjoy doing – it is far more than that!
It is God’s desire and plan for our lives and the lives of others! And for some, it can still mean pastoral
ministry!
And
in all that you respond to in faith, remember the three points of faithful
outreach that our denomination is opening up for the Church – Worship
Passionately, Love Extravagantly, Witness Boldly. And when we stay connected in all three of
these Christian attitudes, the church will grow in mighty ways, becoming who
God has always intended us to be!
