It shocks precisely no one to hear that all people everywhere do not believe in the person and teachings of Jesus.
One of the best-known parables Jesus crafted appears in Matthew 13, and deals with the responses of those who heard his message. Though often referenced as the Parable of the Sower, this parable could better be called the Parable of the Soils. Yet, best of all the parable should be called the Parable of the Hearers since responding to the message of Jesus, like seed from the sower’s hand, lands solely on them.
The Gospels of Mark (Mark 4:2-20) and Luke (Luke 8:4-15) also contain this parable and its explanation.
In our parable, a sower goes out to sow by hand and sends his seed clattering into four different environments — a hardened path, on a rock, among thorns, and finally into good soil. Like several ancient Jewish teachings (for example, Pirkei Avot 5:15), our parable has three negative examples and one positive example demonstrating the difficult odds against acceptance. God’s Word as interpreted by Jesus serves as the seed in the parable.
For the benefit of the disciples and us, Jesus clarifies how he intended the soils to be understood, though few of his parables come with such clarification. Birds notice the seed exposed on the hard path and eat it before it ever has a chance to activate. Jesus likens this to the mischief of the Adversary (literally, haSatan in Hebrew and borrowed into Greek in Mark 4:15). Often even good seed (that is, God’s Word as taught by Jesus) does not penetrate a cynical, hard heart.
Our parable also mentions some seed falls on a rocky area — literally a rock — where acceptance comes with joy like a sprout overnight. Yet, the scorching trials of life wither the tender plant as no true roots can grow. Without genuine rooting, few new devotees survive.
Next, we hear of seed falling among thorns which again sprouts but becomes choked out by the worries and cares of life. Truly the weight of everyday life and old habits presses hard against any who might consider following the teachings of Jesus.
Finally, Jesus relates that some seed hits good soil! You might be good soil; I might be good soil. Despite all apparent odds, there does exist fertile soil in the world. Jesus describes the good soil this way, “As for that [seed landing] in the good soil, they are those of a good and honest heart — hearing the word, holding fast, and bearing fruit with patience” (Luke 8:15).
Encountering this parable afresh I am more impressed with the seed and its resilience than with the soils. Seed as marvelous as God’s Word must sprout, and when further illumined by the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, each hearer faces a critical decision point.
Kyle A. Kettering serves as a teaching elder at Church of the Messiah in Xenia.
