How should we view the disciples who asked Jesus about the Parable of the Sower?
Whenever we teach something new it's easy to say, 'there's no such thing as stupid questions' and yet, at some point our expectations cross a line and outpace a person's development. We might say 'by now they ought to have done this', or perhaps 'they should have known better'. A disappointing feeling bubbles up inside us and we realise this person we invested in doesn't live up to our expectations.
This ambient cynicism sometimes tags along for the ride when we read scripture. Especially for those of us who agonize over every word, case, gender, and logical argument or rationalism. It can be hard for us to read a passage as anything but negative, because we set our expectations of ourselves and others too high.
So, when we read a passage and Jesus challenges the disciples for not knowing something, we're all too eager to insert our cynicism into the passage. Whether done knowingly or not. So, I want to offer a positive interpretation to both halves of the parable in question:
Parable of the Sower
Parable of the Sower Explained
Parable of Sower
This parable shows up in the three synoptic gospels and in each account the story ends with a variation of the phrase: 'he who has ears, let him hear'. It is a decisive application; everyone, whether believer or unbeliever, open your ears and hear the word of God.
One way our cynicism can affect our reading of this passage is to be fatalistic. The application of the parable isn't a Myer-Briggs soil quiz to determine once and for all which type of soil we are. Do farmers scatter seed once only? Does good soil remain so forever? Can hard soil not be tilled and fertilised? We shouldn't read predestination into the parable because it isn't here; the application is for all to hear.
I should very much like to warn people of good soil not let themselves become callous and hard over time. Do we read scripture only when we wish to prove or disprove other people or philosophies? Do we spend too much time on solving mysteries than working out our salvation with fear and trembling? Is not the point to bring us to repentance of our sins and grow in holiness for the glory of God? Therefore, let me encourage you to spend more time in the bible and prayer for the joy of listening to God.
I should also like to encourage others who think they are the hardened, shallow, or thorny soil to also listen to the word of God: the book of Judges and Kings reveal Israel frequently their hearts hardened, only for it to be softened by God. Now, I don't say this to encourage you to compete with their iniquity, but rather to say God is not far from you. You too can have a softened heart towards God. One way to do that would be joining a local church if you haven't already.
While attending a local church, let me warn you: there are a lot of splinters in other people's eyes you may find painful to bear with. We must always remember to remove the log from our own eye first. Before judging others, do you have sharp edges? Are you rationalising your sharpness as either different or less problematic than theirs? Listen to God slowly and carefully. We want to hear all the things he loves and then pray we grow in those areas.
Parable of Sower Explained
The second half of this parable is to help us contextualise the ways we might be hardened to God. We all still need to hear the word of God, but each of us may need to reflect upon our unique challenges. I warn you: do not become complacent. You may think you are good soil today, but you must run the good race, fight the good fight—do not be caught sleeping or unprepared.
The good soil should not become lazy as though it was, is, and always will be good soil. Unfortunately, certain philosophical views of predestination have led believers to laziness in their faith, repentance, and pursuit of holiness. As Paul writes, these builders might make it through the flame, but only as one who suffered a great loss. Does Jesus not say the yield is thirtyfold, sixtyfold, or hundredfold? Are you reading and praying regularly so your life might yield hundredfold?
The soil among thorns could be any of us. We must remember this soil is so readily fertile that whether it is grain or bramble something will grow. The warning for us is that cares for the world will grow. But sometimes we are so focused on the overt sins that we permit a great multitude of covert sins. Do we pray forgiveness when we think sinfully with as great conviction as when we act sinfully? Does God not want pure hearts and cups that are cleaned from the inside and outside?
Likewise, the shallow soil could be any of us. Right now, you might not think it. But would you deny Christ in the face of persecution? An almost impossible question to answer until the day comes, but we are far more likely to pray it never comes than to pray we would stand firm when it inevitably does. The application is clear; listen to the word of God. When was the last time you read the book of Acts? How much suffering did the church face and how much more would we face today if we proclaimed as clearly as they did on matters of homosexuality, sexual immorality, witchcraft, marriage, sin, repentance, and hell.
This leaves the hardened soil; soil where the word of God never reached or was truly understood. In my own life, this was me for 26 years. I rejected God and actively tried to convince others he did not exist. My friend regularly encouraged me to read the Bible, but when I did, I didn't understand it and there was no root in me. It wasn't until I went to church and made friends that they could water, till, and fertilise my heart and work the ground until I not only heard the soil but it had deep roots in my heart. If you do not understand the Bible but would like to learn more then please feel free to contact me. If you don't own a Bible, then perhaps buy a physical copy and start from the New Testament gospels. If you're not part of a church, let me encourage you to do so, but remember to search scriptures and test everything you're taught.
It is therefore with great optimism that I write these warnings and encouragement. You are predestined to be one of these four soils for your entire life; we all start hardened and unable to understand, we all need to be softened, and we all need to hear the word of God that it may take deep root in our hearts.
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