The parable of the sower (part 7)

Now that we have looked at the parable of the sower, let’s look at a simple hypothetical story to illustrate just how the truths we have seen in this parable operate in our daily lives. Suppose a man is diagnosed with a serious illness. Shortly after learning of his disease, this man just “happens” to run into an old friend from college who, as it turns out, has become a Christian. Upon learning of the man’s illness, this old college friend excitedly tells him about Jesus Christ – how he is the “Great Physician” and that he is “The same yesterday today and forever.”

Even though these phrases mean something to most Christians, the man doesn’t really have any idea what his old friend is talking about and, with a little help from some distracting spirits, he quickly finds a way to bring an end to this uncomfortable encounter. By the time he gets home, he has laughed the entire experience off – reminding himself that his friend always was a weirdo! In this simple example, we can see the seed that was sown “beside the road.” Even though the man heard “the word of the kingdom,” he did not understand it, so the enemy was able to come and “take away the word that was sown in him” before it ever penetrated into his heart.

But the next day the man happens to run into another old friend who also has become a Christian and is invited to a healing meeting at his church. Unable to find a way to get out of it, the man reluctantly agrees and goes to the meeting. As the man hears the words of the message, his hardened heart begins to soften and by the end of the meeting he gives his life to Jesus in a tear-filled prayer. For the next few days the man is on top of the world – like a little child at Christmas with a new toy. His faith in Jesus is growing more vibrant and strong by the day and he wonders how he ever doubted him.

But then he has another visit with his doctor, and suddenly his entire, joy-filled bubble is popped and he comes crashing back down to “cold hard reality.” His faith is crushed, and he wonders how he ever allowed himself to be taken in by such wishful thinking. In this example we see the seed that was sown “on the rocky places.” Even though the man “heard the word” and “received it with joy” he had “no firm root in himself, but was only temporary. Then, “when affliction or persecution arose because of the word” he “immediately fell away.” (Matthew 13:20-21)

But over time, and with the help of some believing friends, the man regains his faith in Christ, and again comes to trust him for his healing. Again his faith begins to grow and he can feel himself getting stronger in spirit. But he soon begins to discover that his job is becoming more demanding and he is finding it harder to spend the time he used to worshipping God and reading His word. Also, as a result of a raise at work he is able to take more trips and buy some of the things he has always wanted. Before long, as a result of his work, vacations, and hobbies, he stops going to church so he can enjoy his weekends more, and pulls out of his home groups. In this example we see the seed that fell “among the thorns.” And as these “thorns” - “worries and riches and pleasures of this life” - grew up in the man’s life, and they “choke the word, making it unfruitful.” (Mark 4:19)

At some point, with the help of the Holy Spirit, the man realizes what is happening in his life, and decides to make a change. He cuts back some of his hours at work, and cuts down on the amount of time he was spending on his “toys” and hobbies. He then commits to spending time every day communing with God through worship, reading and meditating on His word and praying in the Spirit. He also plugs back in to a local body of believers, meeting together with them throughout the week, where they encourage one another and stir one another up in faith. At this point, this man has become the “good soil” and as he “holds” the seed of God’s promise “through faith and patience” he will “inherit the promise” and enjoy its fruit in his life!