Pursuing The Parables

Thoughts on the Parable of the Sower—1

One of the most widely known parables of our Lord is popularly referred to as “The Parable of the Sower.” In Matthew’s gospel the parable is set forth as follows: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seed fell on the rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among the thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” (Matthew 13:3-8)

Later, Jesus took the time to explain the meaning of this parable to His disciples. In so doing He showed that the seed represents the word of God while the various types of soil represent various types of hearts (Matthew 13:18-19). It is beneficial to consider the type of soil used to describe each heart. This will be the first in a series of posts designed to do just that.

The first soil/heart is described in verse 18. “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.”

We may well begin by asking why those along the path did not understand the word of the kingdom. The fault lies not in the word itself for that seed is of the very highest order and determined by One who is Himself eternally perfect. Jesus shows who is to blame when the word is rejected when He said, “If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.” (John 7:17) This is so because the one who truly seeks to do God’s will takes the time to consider the claims of Christ in light of the Scripture. It is only logical that the one who wishes to please God will heed the teaching of the One who came from Him; indeed, is Him (John 1:1, 14; Hebrews 1:1-3).

Jesus said, “Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell you the truth, you do not believe me.” (John 8:43-45) Jesus is clear, it is never that one cannot understand the word of the kingdom but that they will not understand. As long as God desires all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:1-4), and as long as the gospel continues to possess the power of salvation for everyone who believes it (Romans 1:16), then we can rest assured that it will always be understandable for the one who genuinely longs to satisfy the will of God (2 Corinthians 1:13). The hardened unbeliever may scoff at mention of God and the need to serve Him, yet his very scoffing proves him a faithful servant to the “god of this world.” (2 Corinthians 4:4)

Perhaps the most striking aspect of our Lord’s explanation of this important parable is that the remaining three soil/hearts actually accept the word of the kingdom, at least initially. Indeed, all three soil/hearts may be found in the worship assembly itself, perhaps even every time the doors are open, yet only one is acceptable before Christ. Our next post will discuss the “rocky ground heart.”     

Think On These Things

When Need Becomes Greater Than Pride

            

            In Luke 8:40-42 we read, “Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. And there came a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue. And falling at Jesus’ feet, he implored him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying.”

            As a ruler of the synagogue Jairus was a man of no small influence. However, he found himself in a situation that rendered him powerless. His daughter was dying and there was nothing he could do stop it. All of his influence, wisdom, power, and fame meant absolutely nothing to him in the face of such a terrible predicament. Jesus had many enemies and there is little doubt that at least some of them witnessed Jairus running to Jesus and falling at his feet. There is even less doubt that word of Jairus’ actions spread very quickly. However, whatever pride Jairus may have possessed was crushed beneath the weight of his tremendous need.

            A saved relationship with Jesus Christ demands one thing above all else—a humble willingness to admit that one is a sinner, helplessly lost, and completely reliant upon the mercy and grace of One infinitely greater than they (Romans 3:23; 5:1-11). This humility boasts in the cross of Jesus Christ, never in self (Galatians 6:14). This humility boasts in weakness for it is in weakness that the power of Christ shines brightest (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). Is there any wonder, in our increasingly humanistic world, that such humility is rarely seen?

            Unfortunately, such humility is not as common as it should be even among those who claim Christ as Lord. It is lacking in the elder who lords his authority over the flock, looking upon the congregation as his own personal fiefdom. It is lacking in the evangelist who forgets that his duty is to present Christ, not himself. It is lacking in the Christian who imagines that his or her salvation will be achieved on the basis of personal goodness.

            Need. The word ought to be emblazoned upon the heart of every Christian for the day will never come when the mercy and grace of God is not our greatest need. The one who glories in self has yet to recognize this. When they do, that realization will crush the pride that bars their way to the Lord and salvation.

Our Daily Walk

Get out of God’s way!

            We’ve all been there before.  It could be at work, the mall, or even across the fence from our own backyard.  A lost soul is standing off by itself. We know that we could approach that person and speak to them about our Lord. We know we should.  Perhaps we’ve even got a card from our church with an invitation printed out in bold, bright letters. All we’ve got to do is walk over and make the contact. Our feet are itching to start walking, words are forming on the tip of our tongue, and just before we make the approach that voice inside our head reminds us of our uncertainty, our fear, and our nervousness.  Suddenly all we can think about is why we can’t approach that person.  They eventually walk away and we’re left feeling ashamed and embarrassed.

            Have you ever noticed that such failures are always the result of self-centered thinking? I get nervous. I get tongue-tied. I get uncomfortable. "I, I, I, ME, ME, ME!" How very selfish of us!

            At such times we need to train ourselves to focus less on ourselves and more on God. Rather than fretting over our own timidity, let us reflect on God’s goals. Rather than submitting to our own insecurities, let us submit to God’s will. Rather than relying upon our own ability, let us glory in God’s power. We need not preach a sermon where a simple invitation will suffice. Philip’s simple, “Come and see” works just as well today on a truth seeking heart as it did then (John 1:46).

            Do you feel insufficient to serve as God’s fellow worker (1 Corinthians 3:9) in spreading the gospel message? Me too!  Even the apostle Paul knew he was not sufficient in and of himself (2 Corinthians 2:16b). Yet Paul knew that his sufficiency came from God (2 Corinthians 3:5) and thus he was imminently qualified to serve as God’s spokesmen. The Christians sufficiency comes from the same Source. Our God is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20) and we must never forget it.

            Perhaps that lost soul will come across another Christian who will make the contact. Why should they have to? Let us resolve to focus more upon God than ourselves.  “I, I, I” must become “Him, Him, Him.” Let’s stand at His side and not in His way!