Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables, "and without a parable spoke He not unto them; That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world." (Matthew 13:34-35)
This was not for the purpose of concealing truth from the multitude, but just the contrary; for the prophet also says in the same connection: "Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have toldus. We will not hide them from their children, showing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord." (Psalm 78:1-4)
The parables of Jesus contain the most direct and forcible instruction of anything in the world. There are two or three parables which are not explained, which are not immediately clear; but Christ's own interpretation accompanies the most of them, as in the instance before us, so that there is no possibility of misunderstanding them. "Take heed how you hear," (Luke 8:18) may well be remembered as we read this parable. It presents several different classes of hearers, by the various places into which the seed of the sower fell. How vivid is the picture! "Behold, a sower went forth to sow; And when He sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Who has ears to hear, let him hear." (Matthew 13:3-9)
We see the man walking along, scattering the seed broadcast, so that:
1. Some of it fails on the hard path, where there is no possibility of its growing, and the birds quickly gather it up.
2. Some falls upon a rock, upon which there is the merest covering of earth, but not enough to hold tiny moisture, or to afford a chance for the seed to take root; consequently as soon as the sun shines upon it with great heat, it is scorched, and withered.
3. Other seed falls upon ground that is in itself good enough, but where there are so many thorns that there is no room for the grain to grow. It is a neglected corner of the field. The plow could not reach it, and no trouble was taken to work it with the hoe.
4. But some of the seed fell into good ground, which had been well cultivated, and it sprang up, and bore abundant fruit.
By the Wayside
The first class are those who hear the Word of the kingdom, and do not understand it. "When any one hears the word of the kingdom, and understands it not, then the wicked one comes, and catches away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side." (Matthew 13:19)
The Greek word here rendered "understand" means literally "to take in." They hear the Word but do not take it in. That exactly corresponds to the seed that fell by the wayside. The hard ground did not take it in, and so it lay exposed as food for the birds.
No one can keep anything that he does not use. The Word of the kingdom is of no use if it is kept for show. It must be taken into the inner life, or it will speedily be snatched away. No matter how much a person may know of the Scriptures, if he does not study for the purpose of practicing, he studies to no profit. The only way to hold truth that we hear is to mix it with faith, and allow it to manifest itself in good works in the life. "The Word is very near unto you, in your mouth, and in your heart, that you may do it." (Deuteronomy 30:14)
Do it quickly, without too long hesitation over the matter, lest you lose it for ever.
Into Stony Places
"But he that received the seed into stony places, the same ishe that hears the word, and anon with joy receives it; Yet he has not root in himself, but endures for a while: for when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, by and by he is offended." (Matthew 13:20-21)
Nevertheless the seed that bears the most fruit does not spring up the quickest. There are many who seem to accept the Word almost before it is out of the speaker's mouth. They overwhelm one with their gushing praise of everything connected with it, from the minister down.
One soon learns to recognize these persons, and to shrink from them. Their quickness to receive the Word is not due to good soil, but to lack of depth. They are always ready and longing for something new not exactly some new truth, but for some mild sensation. They like to have something different from what they have had before, and that makes them just as quick to give up the Word as they were to receive it. They want to be first in everything, no matter what it is. The kingdom of God will never be enlarged by such hearers.
Among the Thorns
"He also that received seed among the thorns is he that hears the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful." (Matthew 13:22)
Then there is a third class, perhaps the most numerous of all. They receive the Word in good faith, and intend to live it out; but they have too much on hand. They wish to have both the world and the kingdom of heaven.
Notice that expression, "The care of this world." We may take it in its most literal sense. It means not only care pertaining to this world, but actually the care of the world. The man who does not with his whole heart trust the Lord, feels upon himself the burden of the world. The care of its proper management rests upon his shoulders; he has assumed the responsibility of it, and feels that he must keep it in running order. No wonder that the Word of the kingdom is soon choked out. It is given no place.
It is the province of that Word to uphold all things: "Upholding all things by the word of His power." (Hebrews 1:3)
But when the man who has received the Word into his heart, usurps the work of the Word, leaving it nothing to do, it naturally withers away from lack of use. Godliness, that is, trust in God, has promise of this world, and also of that which is to come; but he who tries to manage both worlds himself, is sure to lose them both. "For bodily exercise profits little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." (1 Timothy 4:8)
What shall be done in the case of the thorny ground? The Scripture gives the answer: "Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns." (Jeremiah 4:3)
If the thorns are present, that is, if the care of this world is in the heart, the sowing must necessarily be among thorns, and the seed will be choked; the only remedy, and it is a sure one, is to let the plough-share of truth break up the ground, root out the thorns, and cut down every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.
The Good Ground
"But he that received seed into the good ground is he that hears the word, and understands it; which also bears fruit, and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty." (Matthew 13:23)
Lastly there is the good ground, thoroughly prepared, which receives the seed and retains it, and sends it forth again multiplied many times. We know not how the seed germinates; it is not necessary that we should, since it is God that gives the increase. "So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knows not how. For the earth brings forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear." (Mark 4:26-28)
He who sows the seed will watch it night and day, and will water it every moment, and will be answerable for its increase and perfection, if we will but allow the soil to be well prepared, and will dedicate it to His use alone.--Present Truth, May 10, 1900--Timeline: IV-24 (Sermon by the Sea)--Matthew 13:1-8, 18-35.