In our continuing study of the life of Jesus, He has just gotten into the boat to distance Himself from the huge crowd. Now he starts teaching them in parables. Let’s look at one of them today.

Matthew 13:2-4

2 And large crowds gathered to Him, so He got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd was standing on the beach.

3 And He spoke many things to them in parables, saying, "Behold, the sower went out to sow;

4 and as he sowed, some seeds fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate them up.

A parable is simply a form of teaching where something known is used to illustrate something spiritual. In this parable, the seed refers to God’s message. For unbelievers, it would be the gospel, for believers, it would be the Word of God. Sowing refers to the communication of the message, and the soil or the place of sowing refers to the believer’s heart.

We’re going to put this parable into 4 categories. In Category I, the seed beside the road is devoured. Here is Jesus’ explanation:

Matthew 13:19

19 "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 the one on whom seed was sown beside the road.

In this category, the soil rejects the message; there is no response, and no salvation.

In Category II, the seed in shallow soil has life, but that life is unable to endure hardship:

Matthew 13:5-6

5 "Others fell on the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil.

6 "But when the sun had risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.

Here is the Lord’s interpretation:

Matthew 13:20-21

20 "The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; (faith results in life)

21 yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, (he does not continue with the message) and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away.

Notice there is life, but there is no root system developed. Therefore, there is no way to endure testing or affliction.

In Category III, seed scattered in weed-infested soil results in life, but the life is cut off and hindered, and no fruit is ever produced.

Matthew 13:7

7 "Others fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out.

Again, here is the Lord’s interpretation:

Matthew 13:22

22 "And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

In this category, there is life, but worries about the details of life keep the believer from bearing fruit. Isn’t this an easy category to fall into? But make no mistake, worry and being occupied with wealth will RUIN your spiritual life.

In Category IV, we have seed scattered in good soil, producing good fruit.

Matthew 13:8

8 "And others fell on the good soil and yielded a crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.

Here is Jesus’ interpretation:

Matthew 13:23

23 "And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty."

What makes the soil good? I’m no farmer, but doesn’t every crop need constant watering? How much are you watering the Word of God that you take in?

In verse 23, the Greek brings out a couple of interesting principles:

Hears is the word AKOUO, and it’s in the present tense, meaning that the man KEEPS ON hearing the Word! Do you? Is your life organized around taking in the Word of God? Don’t you think this would be a great New Year’s resolution?

Understands is the word SUNIEMI, and it means to gain insight into something. As you continue to take in the Word, ponder on it, pray about it, and look to apply it to the real world around you. It’s not just an academic exercise!

Notice that this category is the ONLY ONE that bears fruit! It’s a perfect analogy to the growing believer – fruit takes time to bear.

Which category are you in? God’s Word is going to be scattered across the field. How are you going to receive it?