As mentioned in the introduction to this series, “Stories Jesus Told—Introduction“, Jesus intended for His parables to be understood by those who are seeking truth, but He also tells us that when we continue to search for Truth, He may just show us something about these familiar stories that we’ve never thought of before!
The parable of the sower is a very familiar one: “A farmer went out to plant some seeds…” (Matthew 13:3 NLT). It is the first parable of Jesus recorded in the book of Matthew. This story is so rich, for we are the sowers. We are all called to be God’s mouthpieces on earth! “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19 NLT)
To fully understand the parable of the sower, however, we must notice what Matthew 28:19 does not say. While saying to “…go and make disciples…” and to “baptize them…,” it does not tell us that we have to do anything to make those we witness to accept the gospel message. We can’t, actually. This isn’t even our job. It’s the Holy Spirit’s: “And when [the Holy Spirit] comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment…When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth.” (John 16:8,13 NLT)
From this parable of the sower, then, we understand that our job is to—scatter seed!
Some of our witnessing will be to people who do not—or cannot!—understand it. This happened to the sower as well: “As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath…The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it.” (Matthew 13:4,19 NLT)
Sometimes those we witness to are too encumbered by worry or stress or the pursuit of happiness. Again, the sower could relate: “Other seeds fell among…The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced.” (Matthew 13:7,22 NLT).
Still others may accept Jesus immediately as an emotional response, but unfortunately they often fall away. Yes, the sower knew about that too: “Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock…The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word.” (Matthew 13:5,20,21 NLT)
Only some of our witnessing will result in people accepting Jesus: “Still other seeds fell on fertile soil…The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” (Matthew 13:8, 23 NLT)
In other words, we don’t need to worry about the hearts that will hear our testimonies. We simply, “Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love.” (Hosea 10:12 NLT).
Is there, however, something new we can “harvest” from these familiar words?
I was thinking specifically about the seed that fell on the path being eaten by the birds. Did you know that when seeds are eaten by animals, they often pass through those animals when their bodies eliminate waste? That means that even those seeds eaten by the birds may, actually, find their way to good soil!
And what about the seed that fell in the weeds? What about when those stresses are gone? Could it be that the seed will go ahead and take root then?
And what about those who accept Jesus as an emotional response, and then fall away? That seed was once in them. Will they, perhaps, remember those times? Will they long to return?
The point is, even if our witnessing doesn’t fall on willing ears, God may still use our efforts down the road as part of His plan for drawing these people to Him!
Don’t let discouragement keep you from being a witness! You never know when or how God will take those seeds that you tried to plant and use them to draw those people to Him! Just go forth and scatter that seed! God will do the rest!
Please join us next Saturday as we continue to find hidden Truths in the “Stories Jesus Told”!
In His love,
Lyn
Lynona Gordon Chaffart
Author, Moderator, Acting Director, Answers2Prayer Ministries
(To access the entire “Stories Jesus Told” mini-series, please click here!)
