“A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.” (Matthew 13:3b-9 ESV)
Sue was invited to a church event by a friend. The gospel was presented, but she had trouble wrapping her mind around what it meant. She wanted to believe but spent the rest of the week doubting and feeling that she had been too bad in her life for God to ever love her. Sue never returned to church.
“When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path.” (Matthew 13:19 ESV)
Bob heard the gospel, was moved and believed. He was so excited and wanted to tell everyone about his newfound freedom. Then when he was teased at work for being a Christian, he began denying that he was one. He no longer follows Christ in order to fit in.
“As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately falls away.” (Matthew 13:20-21 ESV)
Patty was a faithful worker in her church. She felt that she was working for the Lord. But in all of her years of serving, her world view never changed. She was influenced by the secular values of her unbelieving friends and therefore never showed any fruit of belonging to the Lord.
“As for what was sown among the thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.” (Matthew 13:22 ESV)
Dave loved God for as long as he could remember. He accepted Jesus as a young child and studied His word in his teens and adult life. He lived His life in a way that reflected what He believed. No matter what came his way, He trusted in God to get him through it.
“As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” (Matthew 13:23 ESV)
There are four scenarios here among the sower parable. I pray that those who read this can see themselves. Which one fits you?
~Kellie
Sixty-six books in a year 