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Power of Choice (Part 2) using the Parable of the Soils
Written by on December 13, 2013
This is a continuation of my study into the Parable of the Soils. This study has taken me in various directions, as the Holy Spirit is continually revealing concepts in the parable for me to apply in my own life. Hopefully, this writing will help you in yours.
In the last posting, I covered the background of the parable, and why Jesus’ spoke in parables. I am endeavoring to be very careful to not interject ideas or theories that are not supported by scripture, so if one notices those areas let me know. We will discuss the first soil and the importance of understanding this parable.
Why Understand this Parable First?
Mark 4:3-4 says:
3 “Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. 4 And it happened, as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds of the air came and devoured it.
Jesus revealed the following, in Mark 4:14-15 :
“13 And He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? 14 The sower sows the word. 15 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. “
Jesus gives us a clue, for those who choose to follow, study, and learn from Him through the aid of the Holy Spirit, the scriptures. The sower in this parable is the person who is spreading the Word.
Based on Jesus’ words, one could surmise that this parable should be a simple one, as Jesus question how His disciples would understand other parables if they could not understand this one (4:13). Those closest to Jesus, who have seen and communed with Him, found this one difficult to understand.
Sometimes even given the meaning of the parable, we as Christians need to pause. This moment of Selah, we need to assure that we have developed “ears to hear”. I say this because although we have heard this parable many times, we are steeped in our own culture, tradition, and flesh that can make it difficult to truly take in the meaning of this parable.
The sower and scattering of seed
This sower (farmer) should be those of use who are followers of Christ. The church (the bride of Christ) should have an outward view along with its inward view. Traditionally we’ve expected people to come to church to hear the gospel, but how many people attend church nowadays (whether we believe its right or wrong)? The gospel should be preached and taught in churches; however, but we shouldn’t wait for people to come to church to hear the Word, evangelism should have a proper place to reach others. It is our commission as stated in Matthew 28:19-20.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
At the beginning of the parable Jesus said, ‘Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed (Mar 4:3).’ The church needs to go out, like the farmer, and sow God’s Word into people’s hearts: the whole world is our field!
Historically, in order to sow seed during that time, a farmer would fix his eyes on a point at the other side of the field and walk towards it. While walking, the farmer will take handfuls of grain from the pouch at his side and scattering them in a sweeping action to the left and to the right. Since the sower focus would not be on the where the seed fell, but on maintaining a straight line; the seeds would land in various places. Now in the post-industrial age, farmers use precision drills to place seed in the ground at exact distances apart, but in Jesus’ day broadcasting the seed was the only method available.
So as Christians, our task is to sow the seed of the Word of God into people’s hearts (i.e. the soil). We won’t know what kind of soil we are sowing into but, as we have the opportunity, we should scatter the seed wherever we can; while maintaining a straight life (path).
This parable is about two things: the kingdom of God and the human heart. Jesus taught that, in respect to the kingdom of God, mankind can be divided into four categories according to the kind of heart they have, their hearts being illustrated by the places the seed fell on.
The First Soil
This first soil, “that there are some hearers of the Gospel, whose hearts are like the wayside in a field. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.” Matthew gives us further assistance in his account in Matthew 13:19,”When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.”
The first thing to notice in both verses, is the use of the word wayside. Webster defines wayside as “The side or edge of a road, way, path, or highway”. So these people hearts see the church and may be apart of a church in “membership” but not totally committed. In other words, they may be observers of Christianity not partakers of Christianity.
Those along the path are those who hear the Word of God but cannot understand it, so Satan comes and takes the Word away from their hearts.
These are they who hear preaching and teaching, but pay no attention. They go to a place of worship, but have not allowed the Word of God to change them. It matters nothing whether it is Law or Gospel. These self-professing Christians have not changed in their hearts, and they can be found in every local expression of Christ. Every Sunday they allow the devil to catch away the good seed that is sown on the surface of their hearts, by not choosing to allow God’s Word to take root.