A SOWER WENT OUT TO SOW

"A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them" (Matthew 13:3, 4, NKJV).

By the Sea of Galilee an eager, expectant throng had gathered to see and hear Jesus. So great was the multitude that Jesus got into a boat and sat, and the multitude stood on the shore. Jesus spoke many things to them in parables. He told the story of a sower who went out to sow. "And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. Some fell on story places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" (Matthew 13:4-9).

The disciples did not understand the parable, but their interest was awakened. They came to Jesus privately when He was alone and asked Him about the parable (See Mark 4:10). Jesus said to them, "The sower sows the word. And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word's sake, immediately they stumble. Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred" (Mark 4:14-20).

Jesus explained the parable to His disciples, as He will make plain His word to all who seek Him in sincerity of heart. Those who study the word of God with hearts open to the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, will not remain in darkness as to the meaning of the word. Jesus said to those who believed in Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32).