The Parable of the Sower

The parable of the sower is one of my favorite parables in the Bible. Parables were a popular teaching method used by Jesus. Let’s look at the parable of the sower from Mark 4.

³ “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. ⁴ As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. ⁵ Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. ⁶ But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. ⁷ Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. ⁸ Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.” ⁹ Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” Mark 4:3-9

This is the meaning of the parable of the sower:

The seed is the Word of God.

Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the Word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.

Those on the rock are the ones who receive the Word with joy when they hear it, but they have no roots. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing, they fall away.

The seed that fell among the thorns stands for those who hear the Word, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches, and pleasures, and they do not mature.

But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the Word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

Where would you say you fall?

Have you landed along the path, on the rocks, among the weeds, or in good soil?

We all find ourselves in one of those places, and we must recognize where we are if not in good soil. If we are not on the good ground, it is never too late to start again. Many folks have been told it is too late to start again. I don’t believe that to be true for everyone. Don’t allow negativity or those who are unhappy and displeased with their lives to tell you that you can’t or won’t make it. Ask the Lord to help you and allow Him to guide your steps daily, even hourly.

The parable of the sorrow reminds me that we replant all the time here in America, so I know that you can restart again and grow a harvest that is fruitful and abiding in the gardener’s love.

Tilling the land till Christ returns.

Bridge to Grace now on Amazon.com 

Have You Made a Choice Yet