Jesus used illustrations from daily life to help His hearers understand the nature of His kingdom. The Parable of the Sower demonstrates this point and helps us grasp a number of lessons important to followers of Christ.
The Lord said, “The seed is the word of God” (Luke 8:11). Farmers might have to be careful with their money, but they will never scrimp on seed. The reason is simple, the only way to have a harvest is from seed sown. Seed left in a bag in the shed does not produce. Neither will God’s Word left unscattered produce a harvest. Paul said, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:6).
The Lord said the farmer does not know how the seed sprouts and grows (Mark 4:26-29). The soil in which God’s Word grows is the human heart. It is not our place to decide which heart contains which type of soil. We know some hearts are like the packed earth of a footpath. Other hearts have shallow topsoil. Still others have hearts filled with the weeds of the cares, riches and pleasures of this life. Some have hearts filled with good soil ready to take in the seed and produce fruit to the glory of the Almighty (Luke 8:12-15).
The oldest known mature seed to sprout is the seed of the Judean date palm. It was found in Herod the Great’s fortress at Masada and is believed to be 2,000 years old (https://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/06/080612-oldest-tree.html).
God’s seed does not lose viability over time. The Lord declared, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away” (Matthew 24:35). Those who gladly receive the Word today and are baptized will be saved from their sins by the blood of Jesus and begin a new life (Acts 2:41, 47; Romans 6:3-4).
Let us resolve to fulfill our role by planting the seed and watering it. Then, pray God will bring forth the increase. The results will bring forth much fruit to his glory.
