The Parable Of The Sower, recorded in three of the gospels with minor variations, was clearly intended by the Lord Jesus to be a key and unforgettable feature of his message.
Like so much of the teaching of scripture, Jesus makes some details of the parable’s meaning perfectly clear while other features are left vague and ambiguous. The Lord’s teaching is given in this way so that we will be forced to think carefully and exercise spiritual discernment to work out the lessons (I Cot 2:13-14).
Unanswered questions
Who is “the sower”? Is it God, Jesus, the believer preaching individually, a missionary organisation, the whole church — or all five acting as one?
Who or what is “the evil one,” “the devil,” and “satan” who “snatches away” the word from some people’s hearts, “so that they may not believe and be saved?” Is it the present evil world, those opposed to Jesus Christ, or hardness of heart on the part of the hearer — or all three? See the context of the parable in Matthew 13:14-15 for a clue.
What is “the crop” yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown? Does it represent multiplication of spiritual qualities in the hearts of individual believers, or multiplication of converts — or both?
The good soil
Another intriguing ambiguity is “the good soil.” Must a person have “a noble and good heart” before receiving the word, so enabling it to germinate? It would seem so. How does that fit in with the notion that no one is good and that we are all equally sinful before conversion? Jesus seems to equate an honest and good heart with an initial willingness to listen and give some serious attention to his message, rather than dismiss it out of hand.
The two ‘missionary’ brothers who sowed the seed in my heart 50 years ago told me that sisters make the best preachers, and that seed is best sown by living a sanctified life each day in our homes, consistently dedicated to the truth. Jesus said, “The earth produces crops by itself” (Mark 4:28 NASB). Or, as Paul expressed it, “God makes it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow” (I Cot 3:6-7).
The purpose of the parable
Perhaps one of the most interesting questions about this parable is its general purpose and objective. Was the parable given to prompt personal consideration about the type of soil we should be and what response we will give when we hear the “word of the Kingdom”? Or is there skilful instruction to the disciples from the Master’s lips for them to expect mixed reaction to their preaching? Is he preparing them for possible disappointment when there is not widespread acceptance of the message they proclaim? Clearly both messages are embedded in the parable and provide followers of Jesus in every generation a realistic expectation about the results of preaching. This “simple” parable shows us the richness of the mind and word of God.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One