The Sower (Luke 8:4-15)

At this point in the Galilean ministry, the crowds are increasing. Jesus begins to filter. He knows that not all the people in the crowds are coming to Him for the right reasons. Not all are responding in faith. He tells this parable about the need to respond well but also uses a parable which He says is to keep the truth away from superficial hangers on.

The parable is a farming story. This was a farming land and the people knew all about farmers and farming. A farmer went out to sow seed on his land. Some of the seed fell by the road and was trampled and carried off by birds. Some fell in shallow ground where it didn’t get enough moisture and died out. Some fell among thorns and was choked out. But some fell in good soil, took root and grew and produced 100-fold.

The disciples asked Jesus what this story was all about. Jesus, before explaining it to them told them why He was using stories like this. They and the crowds were different. The mysteries of the Kingdom of God had been given to them. He was telling cryptic stories because not all would hear His word.

In the story the seed is the word of God. The word that fell by the road is snatched away by the enemy before the people who hear it can accept it. The word that falls on the shallow, rocky soil is happily accepted. However, before long trials come and those people abandon the word and it does not grow in them. The word that falls among the thorns is drowned out by the worries, riches, and pleasures of life. The people like this soil follow those voices rather than the word. But the word that falls in good soil is absorbed and grows and produces fruit.

The soils are people. This is not a case of people being different soils throughout life, responding differently at different times. It is a description of the overall condition of the purpose. At the end of life, which soil were they? Do they receive God’s word and let it produce its work in them, or do they not listen, not hold on, or follow other voices? Those who are like the disciples, who are changed by the word of God, are those who have good hearts, hold on to the word, and patiently let it do its work.