Scripture: That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on 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 thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.” Matthew 13:1-9 ESV
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Observation: In chapters 11-12, Matthew records Jesus’ ongoing conflict with the Pharisees while the crowds look on to assess who is this miracle worker who stands against the corrupt religious establishment and preaches a message like never before heard. In the closing verse of this segment, Christ succinctly encapsulates his identity, mission, and the calling of his disciples: “For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” (v.50 ESV). He is the Son, he does the will of the Father (Matthew 11:27; 27:42), and those who seek to do the same are his spiritual siblings.
This statement sets the tone for the next segment of Jesus’ ministry and lays the foundation for a series of parables—beginning with The Parable of the Sower. But first, as typical of this detail-oriented tax collector, Matthew provides the following:
- Timeline: Jesus leaves the house that same day.
- Locale: Jesus first sits by the sea (of Galilee) and then in a boat.
- Audience: great crowds are standing on the beach.
- Subject matter: Jesus says many things in parables.
Here and with most of Christ’s parables, he draws on the familiar surroundings of this agrarian-oriented Galilean community. Also, as typical of Jesus’ parables, this story reveals the characteristics of his kingdom of heaven (synonymous with the kingdom of God) to those spiritually attuned.
Takeaway: Jesus mentions the sower in his opening line without identifying who he is or giving further mention of him. Most scholars agree that the sower is Christ, while a few hold that he is the Holy Spirit. The message, however, is undoubtedly Jesus’ Gospel.
As for the soil, Jesus describes four types of listeners that display a range of receptivity. Separated by an interlude where Jesus responds to his disciples’ question, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” (a discussion for Monday’s Daily Focus), Jesus then explains to them the parable’s meaning based on four types of listeners (13:18-23):
- Hardened hearts (falling on the path): Because they lack understanding, the devil easily convinces them that the Gospel is nonsense (v.19).
- Rootless hearts (sown on rocky soil): they receive the Gospel with joy but lack a sufficient connection with Christ (shallow faith) and turn away when hardship comes their way (vv.20-21).
- Distracted hearts (sown among thorns): they, too, assumingly receive the Gospel with joy, but the worries and distractions of the world render them unfruitful (v.22).
- Understanding hearts (sown on good soil): They mature in their relationship with Christ, gaining an understanding of the Gospel that informs their lives. Thus, they bear fruit that exponentially grows Jesus’ kingdom (v.23).
What these four types of listeners reveal is the need for discipleship. When the church leans too heavily on evangelism without a robust infrastructure of discipleship, people stream as quickly out the back door as they enter the front door. And even those who have attended church for most of their lives still need ongoing discipleship because hardships and worldly distractions never go away. But this applies not only to church leadership but to each of us. First, we must pursue fellowship (marked by support, encouragement, and accountability) with those further along in Christ’s kingdom journey to ensure we persevere and grow. Then we pay it forward.
And we need not panic if we feel bogged down by the world’s cares as long as we hunger and thirst for more of Christ. Indeed, his Holy Spirit will do a bit of weeding and pull us out of the quagmire in due time.
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for your Son, our sower of good seeds. And we thank you for your Holy Spirit and the community of believers who nurture our growing faith. With this in mind, would you please help us stay connected to your Son (as well as the Holy Spirit and godly believers) so that we might faithfully yield abundant fruit for his kingdom? Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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