And He [Jesus] 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 … 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. … When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word … endures for a while, and … falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but … proves unfruitful. As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
(Matthew 13:3-5a, 6b-8, 19-20a, 21b-23 ESV)
When I plant seeds, I plant them as a gardener does—one by one. But that’s not the way the sower in Jesus’ story operates. He’s a farmer, and he has a lot of ground to cover. So he’s got a whole bag full of seed, and he’s throwing it everywhere.
So of course some of it winds up in the wrong place! It ends up on a hard beaten pathway, or on weedy, rocky soil at the edges of the field. The sower is okay with that. Throwing his seed far and wide is the only way he can make sure that every single bit of good ground gets the seed. He sows the seed generously.
And that’s the way God behaves, too, isn’t it? When Jesus sends out His Gospel message into the world, He does it generously—throwing it far and wide. During His short ministry on earth, He preached to crowds wherever He went. He talked to individuals—rich men, beggars, women, foreigners—anyone who would listen for a moment. He even talked to Pontius Pilate!
Jesus never holds back the Good News. He’s intent on making sure everyone hears His invitation—to come to Him, trusting Him, and become forgiven, treasured, blessed children of God. That generous offer is open to anyone who will take it—and no surprise, as Jesus is the One who made it a reality for us in the first place!
Jesus came to lay down His life intentionally, like a seed going into the earth—knowing that the harvest that would come from His life, death, and resurrection would be great. And now that Jesus has risen from the dead, He has the joy of seeing us, His harvest—and the words of the prophet Isaiah have come true: “When His [Jesus’] soul makes an offering for guilt, He shall see His offspring; He shall prolong His days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in His hand. Out of the anguish of His soul He shall see and be satisfied; by His knowledge shall the Righteous One, My Servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and He shall bear their iniquities” (Isaiah 53:10b-11 ESV).
We Pray: Lord Jesus, thank You for sowing Your seed generously—so that it’s reached even me! Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
• Is sharing the Gospel ever wasted?
• How did you come to faith in Jesus?
• Consider asking Jesus to teach you how to share your faith in the way He knows works best for you.