Kingdom parables in Matthews Gospel

Matthew 13v1 – 23 : The Parable of the Sower

This is one of the best known parables of Jesus...

It is brilliant in its construction, a wonderful observation on life, and highly relevant to an agricultural community…
An exact parallel to what a farming community would experience in everyday life.

It is interesting to observe in verse 2 how the people flocked to hear Jesus. But it is quite evident from the text that the people did not have a clue as to what he was talking about at this point in time. It is clear from verse 10 that the disciples had not caught on either. From verse 18 onwards Jesus is explaining to his disciples what the parable of the sower means. It is interesting that despite not understanding what he was saying, the people still flocked after Jesus…The parables were gobbledygook as far as these people were concerned, so why come and listen?

I can only imagine that they flocked after Jesus because they recognised that someone quite different, with miraculous powers and speaking with great authority was amongst them…Those with open hearts, unlike those described in verses 14/15 may well have reflected on what was said afterwards, and realised the significance of the parable. The great thing about parables is that they are stories, and easy to remember…

This parable is a wonderful illustration, so let us focus our thoughts on the explanation in verses 18 – 24.
There are four different types of person described in the parable:

Those that hear it but do not understand. The story in verse 4 and the analysis in verse 19.
Those that hear, receive and understand, but have no staying power. The story in verses 5 & 6 and the analysis in verses 20 & 21.
Those that hear, receive, understand but fail to put God first in their lives. The story in verse 7 and the analysis in verse 22.
Those that hear, receive, understand and put God first in their lives. The story in verse 8 and the analysis in verse 23.

Those that hear it but do not understand. Verses 4 and 19.

This represents the vast majority of people in this country and the western world generally. I think it is true of all those who we meet and mix with day by day in a country such as ours. In this country, with the freedom that we have, Christian witness is all around you, and if you make even a small effort you cannot fail to trip over any amount of information and guidance that will help you weigh up what the Christian message is all about.

But of course should your thoughts happen to stray on to matters of faith; you can just blank it from your mind. Turn on the tele… Go down the pub…Change the subject….

The words of Isaiah that Jesus quoted in verses 14/15 have a chilling truth. READ.

This is an easy one for the devil to deal with. As represented in the parable, down comes a few nice big black birds. Peck, peck peck at any vestige of truth that may be there, in no time gone!

Those that hear, receive and understand, but have no staying power. Verses 5/6 and 20/21.

With this type of person, the devil is a slightly more risk, but not much. People often come to a significant moment in their lives, which can make them reflect on their spiritual state. It may be the birth of a child, a family bereavement, or even attending a Christian event…

Sometimes this leads to a person accepting the Lord as their Saviour, but the problem is it is superficial. They have responded to the feeling of the immediate moment, even felt joyous about it, but not made a life changing decision. Hence underneath they are still as hard as rock. Once they get back into everyday life, nothing has really changed.

They have not started to develop roots by adopting a prayer life, nor started to feed themselves with the scriptures. They have not made changes to their lifestyle to reflect Christian teaching. Soon the heat comes on. Often from family, friends, business associates and an unchanged lifestyle.

No root has developed, so there is nothing with which to resist the pressure. Hence what there is soon withers and dies.

Those that hear, receive, understand but get distracted. Verses 7 and 22.

I think this is the one that we are at most risk from in Western society.

Have you noticed how in a garden very often at the beginning the good seed starts of better than the weeds? Any one who has bindweed will know that in the spring bindweed does not amount to much BUT…

It is as time goes on that the weeds will dominate…

This category is frequently a subtle one which creeps up slowly. It may appear that you are living the Christian life, going to church, partaking in activities, looking to all intents and purposes like a committed Christian. What has not happened however is that you have not put God first in your life.

Career, wealth, position has actually come first, irrespective of how you may be trying to dress this up. When this happens, be sure that over time the weeds will dominate and they will strangle the Christian life out of you.

I have personal experience of this tripwire in my life, and it is a passage of time that looking back I deeply regret.
God has forgiven me for my lapse many years ago, but I carry the regrets of wasted opportunities and always will.

There is only one way – put God first. Matthew 6: 33. Following the great discourse by Jesus on the subject of not worrying. ‘Seek first his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well’. I was fortunate to be rescued before the weeds that were in my life choked me completely…

Don’t go there. It is not worth the risk. Put God first.

Those that hear, receive, understand and put God first in their lives. Verses 8 and 23.

The only one that works.

The big difference that shows between this category and the one that the weeds choked is that God has been put first.
What do you need to do to ensure you are able to grow fruitfully? 4 points.

It is vital to put God first, before everything else in your life...
Let God direct your life from day one. Don’t be an Abraham and try to give him a hand!...
Sort out straight away any lifestyle issues that you have to deal with that is not consistent with Christian teaching…
Get moving on bible study and prayer from day one. You starve if you do not feed…

Real satisfaction in life comes from being the fruitful soil in which God can develop you to what he has planned for you to be. Do not worry about stepping out with God, you cannot out give Him!

Remember you have control over the condition of the soil. If you chose to be rock solid like a pathway, you can be. If you chose to be rocky ground with a heart and mind of stone you can be. If you chose to let weeds grow up in what is otherwise good soil, you can.

But if you chose to be good soil you can be. Apply the four principles (read again) and you will. This will let the fruit of the Spirit grow in you. (Gal 5. 22) Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.

That really is a harvest!

Malcolm Macreath