And as he sowed, some of the seed fell along the way, was trodden on, and the birds of
the sky ate it up. Some seed fell on rocky ground; and no sooner had it come up than it
withered, because it had no water. Some seed fell among thorns; the thorns grew up with
the seed and choked it. But some seed fell on good soil and grew, producing fruit, a
hundred times as much!“ And Jesus cried out, “Listen then, if you have ears to hear!“
Now, this is the point of the parable: The seed is the word of God. Those along the
wayside are people who hear it; but immediately, the devil comes and takes the word from
their minds, for he doesn’t want them to believe and be saved. Those on the rocky ground
are people who receive the word with joy; but they have no root; they believe for a while,
and give way in time of trial. Among the thorns are people who hear the word, but, as they
go their way, they are choked by worries, riches, and the pleasures of life; they bring no
fruit to maturity. The good soil, instead, are people who receive the word, and keep it, in a
gentle and generous mind, and, persevering patiently, they bear fruit.
Reflect
An article I once read ref lected on this parable, calling attention to the actions of the sower.
The author pointed out that the sower is not doing his job particularly well. After all, the point
of sowing is to get the seed on the soil that will allow the biggest yield, providing an abundant
harvest to support the farmer and his family. Instead, the sower in the parable scatters his
seed on the path and among the rocks and thorns. An observer might think that the sower
is wasting his seed.
In truth, this parable shows God’s unconditional love. Jesus is the sower, sowing the Word of
God. Jesus does not demand that we become holy before he will reach out to us. Instead, he
loves us first, even when our hearts are very rocky ground or overgrown with thorns. Jesus
reaches out to us, offering forgiveness, mercy, and a chance to change our lives. No matter
what we have done, what sins we have committed, God will share his holy Word with us and
will give us every opportunity to turn back to him.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2023
