Where some of the parables of Jesus are one liners, other parabolic stories told by our Lord are quite detailed. One such story is known as “The Parable of the Sower.”

And he told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, 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 brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Let anyone with ears listen!”
Matthew 13:3-9

As we listen to the story, we might start asking where we fit. Are we living along the path? Are we hard-headed (rock hard) followers, who hear and then don’t let the Word take root? Are we good soil for faithfulness, and are we seeing the Word of God produce benefits in us?

As the disciples of Jesus were going through a similar thought process, our Lord gave them some instructions on listening to parables like this one.

“Hear then the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
Matthew 13:18-23

With more clarity, what are we doing with the Word that has come to us in Jesus? Have we let the evil one snatch it away? Are we falling away during trouble? Are we letting the cares of the world or the lure of wealth choke the Word? Or is God’s Word bearing good fruit in our faithful lives?

Good questions. What is your answer?

Prayer

God, I thank You for Your loving and gracious Word. Let me live today so that it might take root in my life, bearing good fruit for me and those I encounter, as I live as a disciple of my Lord and Savior Jesus. Amen.