Parable of the Sower

This parable can be viewed from many perspectives, each perspective making different points. The perspective I am presenting is from the sower’s point of view.

At the beginning of many parables are the words, the kingdom of heaven is like. The problem was that the kingdom of heaven was nothing like the kingdoms of this world. I suggest, when searching for meaning in a parable, we should be looking for the things that don’t make sense in the world we are familiar with. This parable is a great example.

The Parable of the Sower – Matthew 13

^{Matthew 13:3}And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. ⁴And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. ⁵Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, ⁶but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. ⁷Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them.⁸Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. ⁹He who has ears, let him hear.” (ESV)

I must give credit to Pastor George Porter who shed a new light on this parable. He had us look at this parable from the perspective of the sower rather than the soil. When we look at this parable from the perspective of the soil, we realize we have a choice about which kind of soil we want to be. This gives us insight about us, but little insight into the kingdom of heaven. Looking at this parable from the perspective of the sower, however, gives us deeper insight into the kingdom of heaven, which is the purpose of the parables.

Step back and look at the big picture. What farmer works this way? The sensible farmer begins by preparing the soil, then he then sows his seed in the soil he has prepared. Is throwing seed everywhere, even on the wayside, something we should consider doing? Have you ever sown seed in your driveway? Does the sower have an endless supply of seed that he can just cast it everywhere with no concern as to where it lands?

Yet this sower does exactly that. What benefit could possibly come from seed that does not produce fruit?

^{Ecclesiastes 11:1}Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. (ESV)

What happens to the seed that does not grow into a plant that bears fruit? Who was it that received the forfeited talents? In the kingdoms of this world, there would be no benefit, but in the kingdom of heaven, there is great benefit.

Sharing the gospel with those whose hearts are hardened adds righteousness to our account. If those we share the gospel with fail to produce fruit, the grace they received is returned to us. That is not to say there would be greater benefit to us if they did receive the gospel and share it with others. The greater benefit is seen from the parable of the minas, as companion parable to the parable of the talents. One would think that the parable of the talents in Matthew and the parable of the minas in Luke would be somewhat redundant. That is not the case, and we shall look at the Luke passage later to see how it exposes a new dimension of the kingdom.

^{1 Corinthians 9:10}Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope

This verse is in the context of monetary gain, but it also speaks to eternal gain. In the parable of the sower we saw many types of soil. This verse would offer some support for the value of preparing the soil and harvesting the crop, not just sowing the seed.

Continue reading Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

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