A Nugget from New Life Network
Scripture for the Day (September 28, 2015)
And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables? (Mark 4:13)
Jesus taught in parables and the scripture tells us that these parables revealed things that had been held secret from the foundation of the world (Matthew 13:35). I would therefore think it might be pretty important for us to have a good understanding of the parables Jesus taught.
It is especially important to understand the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13, Mark 4, Luke 8) because Jesus said himself if we don’t understand this parable we will not understand any of the parables. There are three key components in this parable. They are the sower, the seed, and the ground (in various conditions). The sower, like a farmer, sowed his seed. Some seed fell on the way side and was devoured by the fowls of the air. Some seed fell on stony ground and did not establish a good root system and withered away. Some seed fell among thorns and was choked out by the thorns. But some seed fell on good ground and produced an abundant harvest.
It is important to understand what the different components represent in this parable. The sower represents anyone (not just Jesus) that is sowing the seed. The seed represents the Word of God. The ground represents the heart and mind of man.
We have to realize that there is a spiritual battle being waged in the invisible world for the hearts and minds of men and women. Listen to what Jesus said about the seed that falls by the way side:
And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. (Mark 4:15)
If you have been born again, or experienced any other kind of miracle from God, you have heard the voice of the enemy trying to convince you that what just happened to you really didn’t happen. Those are the fowls of the air attempting to steal what God just did in you.
The seed that fell on stony ground was not rooted and grounded and so when persecution came for the Word’s sake they fell away. There will be persecution if you are walking with Jesus. You can count on it.
Remember the word that I said unto you: ‘The servant is not greater than his lord.’ If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; (John 15:20)
The seed that fell on thorny ground was choked out and made unfruitful by the cares of the world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of the flesh.
But some seed fell on good ground!!! These are men and women that heard the Word, received it, did the Word, weathered the storms and persecution, and brought forth much fruit through faith and patience.
Here are some simple truths to this great parable. You and I are responsible for sowing the seed, regardless of the ground that it falls on. One plants, one waters, but it is God that causes the increase (1 Corinthians 3:7)! You and I must recognize the enemies tactics and be able to properly pray for and counsel with the people we are ministering to. You and I must be rooted and grounded in the Word of God so we will not be blown away when persecution comes, because it will come. You and I must realize that it is by faith and patience that we inherit the promises.
Realize this! The seed (The Word of God) that we sow is alive and is well able to bring forth a mighty harvest. It is the most powerful seed in the Universe! It can change hearts and minds. It is settled in Heaven forever, and it will accomplish what it is sent to do. All we have to do is to be obedient to plant it and never give up.
It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. (John 6:63)
So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. (Isaiah 55:11)
