A Discussion of the Parable of the Sower
In this parable, the Sower is the Son of Man; the seed is the Word and soil is the human heart. The “Sower” is also a wonderful name for the Preacher. The man of God is called to sow; not to criticize or entertain or build his own little kingdom on earth. Anyone who is burdened with the Word of God longs to scatter it; the prophets of old understood just what the burden of the Lord meant. May the Word of the Lord so burden us that we would all feel compelled to go forth scattering seeds of the Word.
The four different kinds of ground represent four distinct ways in which the Word of Life is treated by those who hear it.
1. The Wayside: The Indifferent Hearer. The “wayside,” or the soil “along the path,” is–
A hard place. The indifferent hearer may be a regular hearer, but his heart is as hard as a well-trodden path, open to any kind of traffic and beaten down hard with the feet of selfish thoughts. The heart that is open for the pleasures of sin will be hard for the Word of God.
A dangerous place. This heart is exposed to birds and to the feet of every passer by. No matter how precious and powerful the seed, it can only fall on it, it cannot fall into it. The seed is always in danger of being lost until it is hid, Psalm 119:11. Birds have terrific sight; they can spot their prey at a great distance. The Devil can detect the precious Word lying on the thoughtless heart and he swoops in and snatches it away. Sadly, that loss is never felt because the Word was never noticed or enjoyed.
A hopeless place. On this ground, the seed finds no shelter. Even though it may remain for a while, it has had not been planted and so it could not take root and grow. Indifferent hearers can profit nothing.
2. The Stony Ground, or the Emotional Hearer. Here the Word is–
Received joyfully. Unfortunately, since this soil has no depth, it is easily washed away. The shallow-hearted hearer is often very emotional. Their thin layer of feeling is often too easily moved. Tears are so quickly shed, and as quickly dried up. They hear the Word gladly, but their heart seems to be in their eyes.
Quickly starved. There is “no root.” It springs up soon, but it’s life was all on the outside; there was no downward growth because there was depth of earth. Beneath the thin covering of their emotions, we find the hard, unyielding rock of a stubborn will.
Completely scorched. Since there was no inward nourishment it is soon overcome by outward circumstances. Unless the heart if fulled with the love of God, the Word will not take root and grow. Persecution withers the pretentious. But what withers the rootless strengthens the rooted.
3. The Thorny Ground, or the Double Minded Hearer. He we see–
Abundant soil. Here there is plenty of depth for both the thorns and the good seed. In the heart of the double-minded, the Holy Ghost’s convicting plow has passed, for that heart is ready to receive the Word of God. Yet, notice the seed of the Word is given place among the thorns of worldly things.
Full soil. Notice the order: the thorns and briers were there first. The weeds usually have priority in the heart of this kind of person. But that which is first must be dealt with and taken away if that which is second and spiritual is to possess and prosper. Our Lord said it best, no man can serve two masters, Matthew 6:24.
Unfruitful soil. The good seed of the Word will not choke the thorns but the thorns will choke the good seed. The sins that are allowed to remain in the heart will eventually manifest themselves in the flesh. Like the thorns that lurk just beneath the ground, they will eventually spring up into the open. “Cares,” which choke the hopeful Word are lethal enemies, yet often tolerated and always excused. Do away with those murderers if you want to be fruitful in every good work for the Lord.
4. The Good Ground, or the Honest Hearer. Let’s observe–
A prepared heart. This is good ground, ground that has been cared for and tended and prepared. A heart that has been plowed and torn and turned by the Word of God. Here the weeds and thorns have been pulled up at the roots and tossed out. The heart that is truly anxious for a touch from God has no room for the “cares” and “riches” that hinder the one needful thing.
An understanding heart. If the seed of the Word is to produce fruit in one’s life, it must be given full liberty in the soil of the heart. It must settle in soil prepared for it. Without preparation and meditation the Word will get lost. The understanding of the Word is the germinating of the seed.
A fruitful heart. There are degrees of fruitfulness even in good ground. The individual seeds of God’s Truth will be better conditioned in some hearts than others. The same truth in one person’s life may produce an abundant harvest, and in others not so much. The measure of understanding has a lot to do with the measure of fruitfulness. The character of the fruit betrays the nature of the soil.
The object of the Sower is fruit. All is loss and failure if there is no fruit. May we all abide in Christ; only then will our lives not be barren, John 15:7-8.
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