511. MAT 13:3, MAT 13:9. THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER
Mat_13:3, Mat_13:9. The Parable of the Sower
"And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold a sower went forth to sow: And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the wayside, and the fowls came and devoured them up," &c.’97Mat_13:3, Mat_13:9.
The Saviour had been delivering a series of pious and faithful admonitions, and had also confirmed his divine mission by healing one who had been possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb, chap. Mat_12:22. The Jews, under a spirit of infatuation and unbelief, attributed his miraculous power to Beelzebub, the prince of devils. He therefore reasoned with them on the gross improbability, that Satan would help to destroy his own kingdom, Mat_12:25, Mat_12:26. He then warned them against the fearful sin of blasphemy against the Holy Ghost; and showed how important it was to have the heart in a right state: for only from a good heart, could the treasure of good things be produced, Mat_12:35.
Some of the Scribes and Pharisees then sought a sign, on which Jesus referred them to that of the prophet Jonah, and declared that the men of Nineveh should rise to condemn that generation. After he had concluded these and other discourses, the same day he went and sat by the sea-side, and, as great multitudes were gathered together to hear him, He addressed to them the parable of the sower. There can be no doubt that he had before his mind the various characters who had listened to his previous discourses, with the different results which had followed his labors. Observe,
I. The sower. The Lord Jesus Christ as the great teacher,’97the divine apostle of the gospel. Under Christ, all ministers of the blessed word,
1. Whom he hath called by his spirit.
2. Qualified by graces and talents. And,
3. Sent forth by opening for them a sphere of usefulness. "An open and effectual door."
The ministerial sower must be,
(1.) Judicious. Selecting appropriate seasons and places for his work.
(2.) Diligent. Laboring as one who must give an account.
(3.) Persevering. Instant in season, and out of season.
(4.) Devoted. Yielding himself heartily, entirely, and sincerely to these things.
What wisdom, grace, and courage are necessary to the faithful minister of Jesus Christ! Notice,
II. The seed. The seed is the word of God. As such,
1. It is heavenly and divine. Isa_55:10, Isa_55:11.
2. Living and incorruptible. 1Pe_1:23.
3. Powerful and soul-saving. Rom_1:16, and Rom_10:17.
4. And immutable and everlasting. "But the word of our God shall stand forever." Isa_40:8. Observe,
III. The various kinds of ground into which it was cast. Some fell,
1. By the wayside. These were unenlightened hearers. It took no root. And was speedily devoured by the fowls. Satan by his temptations, and the world by its vanities, and the heart with its sinful tendencies, prevented any good resulting from it. Some seed fell,
2. In stony places. Where there was only a shallow layer of earth, and beneath which was hard, unimpressible rock. Such are all superficial hearers. They listen with eagerness, and seem to receive it with joy; but, alas! "their goodness is but as the morning cloud," &c. Some other events speedily erase the impressions of the word; and by some offence is taken, and they walk no more in the company of the pious. Some fell,
3. Among thorns. Where the ground had not been prepared for the reception of the seed. Indeed, where it was fully preoccupied. These are worldly hearers, whose thoughts and desires are so engrossed with the concerns of the body and time’97with earth and earthly things, that they can give no fixed attention to the great realities of the soul and eternity. "The cares of this world," how they harass, and perplex, and disturb! "Deceitful riches," how they beguile, ensnare, and destroy! Observe, some fell,
4. Into good ground. Those whose hearts were prepared and open to receive it. These were the practical hearers. They heard to purpose and profit. They heard so as to understand, retain, and yield a return to the sower. Notice of the good ground hearers, 5. The varied amount of increase yielded. They all yield fruit, and abundantly. But the difference is striking. Some gave back thirty fold, a fair return. Others sixty, as much more as the former: while others gave a hundred fold, a return, striking and. wonderful. Let each hearer strive not only to be fruitful, but to abound therein to the glory of God.
IV. The practical application to which our attention is directed. "Who hath ears to hear, let him hear." Let all hearers of the word consider,
1. The indispensable characteristics of profitable hearing. These should be (1.) Devotional preparation. God’s blessing should be sought both on our own hearts, and on the ministering of the word.
(2.) Serious watchfulness, that the mind be not dissipated. That all wanderings of heart are avoided.
(3.) With candid attention: desiring to hear the truth with an ingenuous mind.
(4.) In the spirit of believing obedience. To receive it as the word of God, and not as the word of man. To receive it with holy resolution,’97to practise what is heard. "Doers of the word, and not hearers only."
(5.) With humble reliance on God’s blessing. That the word may be spirit and life to the soul. Let all hearers of the word consider,
2. The advantages resulting from the right hearing of the word. It will be followed,
(1.) By an increase of divine knowledge. "The entrance of God’s word giveth light."
(2.) By its sanctifying influence on the heart. "Sanctify them by thy truth," &c.
(3.) By the gracious consolations it imparts. Producing peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.
(4.) By its preserving power over the life. Counselling in perplexity. Keeping the feet from sliding from God’s paths. Cleansing the way, &c. See Psa_119:9, Psa_119:11, &c. Act_20:32. "I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up," &c.
Learn,
(1.) The greatness of the privilege of those who hear the gospel.
(2.) Their individual responsibility for improving those privileges.
(3.) And the awful doom of those who hear to no profit. Heb_3:4.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS