The Applied Word of God - Part 27

Jesus told the disciples many things about the Kingdom of God in parables.  But in this particular parable of the seed and the sower, He elaborately explains to them the meaning. 

Matthew 13:3-8 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no roots. Other seeds fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop - a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown

Sowing is a willful decision, an intentional attempt - the farmer went out to sow his seed. We see four categories of seed: seed that fell along the path, seed that fell on rocky places, seed that fell among thorns and seed that fell on good soil. 

After Jesus said this, the disciples went to Him for an explanation of the parable.Jesus Himself explains it to them. 

Matthew 13:18-23 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

The whole world has the same Word of God which may vary in language and translation, but the seed is the same. Yet not all are benefited/ liberated by/ the sermons in the same measure/ to the same extent. You too may be wondering why is my life so in spite of reading the Word, being a part of a fellowship, being baptized, etc? I greatly hope and pray that the Lord will resolve all such doubts these days, as we march to the end of this series - the Applied Word of God!

The Kingdom of God works on agricultural principles among many other principles. Our God is a farmer and in this parable, Jesus Himself explained that the seed is the Word of God. Primarily Lord Jesus, the Son of God, is the sower, along with the Holy Spirit and we too can join with them in sowing the Word.

The four different kinds of soil represent human hearts. A seed may be as small as a mustard seed, but it contains great potential, it contains life and it contains a great harvest - there are promises in a seed! In other words, the seed is our future and it contains future generations, growth and increase. The Word of God includes all these things.

Both the sower and the seed are equally good in quality, but the problem lies in the soil. The sower is the same, the seed/ the Word sown is the same but there are four different kinds of soil/ human hearts. The sower sows the seed by preaching and teaching the Word to others. We can also sow the seed ourselves when we read and meditate on the Word.

This is just an introduction, but stay tuned as the parable is beautifully analyzed and by the end of this week, you'll know for yourself why your life is as it is now and what you need to do in order to soar higher. God bless you!

Watch the full video here: