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THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER* by Stacy R. Wood, Jr.

"Behold a farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. However when the sun came up, the plants scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop, a hundred, sixty or thirty times the amount of seed sown. He who has ears, let him hear!" (Mt. 13:3-9; 10-23; Mk. 4:2-20; Lu. 8:4-15). 

Jesus spoke everything to the multitudes in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parabolic story. When his disciples heard the parable about the farmer planting seed, they questioned the purpose for using such a simple short illustration about farming to teach the people. The answer he gave to their questioning was plain and straightforward. Jesus said, "it is given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom, but to them it is not given." (Mt .13:10-11, 34).

This statement makes it clear that God does not give the sacred secrets of the kingdom for everyone to comprehend. The parables, although they come from the simplicity of life's experiences, are as a shroud draped over the realities of the kingdom. This veil protects them from becoming abused by the dogs and swine of the worldly system. That is the Lord preserves these truths and unveils them to whomsoever he desires. It is the Lord and not religious intellect that equips one with the hearing ear and seeing eye in the proper season. He gives the understanding of the parables to his disciples, even to those whom he chooses for his purpose. (De. 29:4, 29; Ps. 78:2; Pr. 20:12; Isa. 6:9-10; 64:4; Mt. 7:6; 11:25-27; Lu. 12:32; John 8:31-32 Acts 28:25-27; Rom. 11:8-10, 33-36; 1Co. 2:9).

What Is a Disciple?What does it take to become a disciple? How can someone become assured that they Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church? The Scriptures clearly show hearing does not come through obeying the carnal religious ordinances of men. Likewise, development of the hearing ear never comes through the strict observance of the letter of God's word. Moreover, discipleship is not the consequence of walking in the dead carnal forms and tradition of man-made ecclesiastical systems. (Mk. 7:5-13; 2Co. 3:6-10).

Surely, none of these things were the criteria for becoming a hearer of kingdom mysteries. If they had been the Pharisees, Sadducees and religious Jews in Jesus's day would have received insight ahead of all others. However, the clear statement of Jesus tells us, "Except one's righteousness greatly surpasses that of the Scribes and Pharisees, he will never enter into the kingdom." Moreover, Jesus declared, "Many are called, but few are choice enough for selection." (Isa. 42:18-20; Mt. 5:20; 15:12-14; 20:16; 22:14; John 15:16; Rom. 8:28-30; 12:1-2, 14:16-18; Eph. 1:3-6; Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 26-29, 3:5-6, 12-11, 21-22, 21:7).

One must realize the Lord is not looking for a volunteer people to rule and reign with him in the kingdom. On the contrary, it is a carefully selected and chosen people who are becoming qualified to enter into the full authority of sonship.

Now remember, "As many as received him to them gave he the authority to become the sons of God." God gives this authority to meet the criteria of true discipleship to all who are believing into, adhering to, trusting in and relying on the name of the Lord. Forgetting what is behind, these selected ones press with earnest pursuit into the mark. That is the groove, which Jesus established as the pattern that leads into the prize of the high calling of God. Therefore, let us become diligent to present ourselves to God, as qualified workmen that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth. (John 1:11-13; Rom. 8:29; 1Co. 9:24-27; 2Co. 3:16-18; Phil. 3:10-17; 2Ti. 2:15; Heb. 12:1-2; 1Jo. 3:2-3; 4:17).

It was with this understanding that Jesus said to those Jews who believed him, "If you continue in, remain in, and hold fast to my word, then you are my disciples indeed. You will know the truth and the reality will make you free." Remember, what determines if someone is a disciple is not obedience to some man-made papal authority or systematic error of dogma. Becoming a disciple requires the giving of oneself to living, abiding, and continuing faithfully in the Word of the kingdom. It is a practiced lifestyle of discipline. (John 8:31-32).

The daily experience of a true disciple causes the growth necessary to result in a closer personal relationship with the Lord Jesus. Let us recognize that to know about Jesus is not sufficient. For within the heart of every genuine disciple there is a longing for a close personal relationship with Jesus. To such as this God gives the mysteries of the kingdom. Hallelujah! (Rom. 8:18-23; Phil. 3:1-11).

What Is So Important about The Parable of The Sower?

Jesus finished explaining he was speaking of a mystery or sacred secret intended especially for his disciples. He then went on to say, "if you do not understand this parable, how then are you to understand any parable?" Notice that the understanding of this parable is essential for gaining the comprehension of any other allegory. Surely this makes "The Parable of the Sower," the most important parable.

Recognizing how and what one hears is of extreme importance. Although the disciples heard enough to know that Jesus taught the people in parables they had not heard clearly enough to decipher his full intention. Therefore to his disciples he said, "hear the parable of the sower!" This statement teaches us that hearing with the natural ear and intellect, as the disciples had, is not adequate. There is a hearing that only comes in and through the Spirit of God. Hearing by the Spirit produces the understanding and perception that is so very vital in our relationship with Christ Jesus and the kingdom of God. (Mt. 13:11, 16, 18; Mk. 4:13, 24; Lu. 8:18; John 6:63-65; 14:26, 16:13; 1Co. 2:9-16; 2Co. 3:6; Eph. 4:11-16).

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* Stacy R. Wood, Jr., a dedicated servant of God has gone home to be with his LORD.