Scattering and Sowing

 

The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3-8, 18-23)

“A farmer went out to sow his seed. ⁴ As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. ⁵ Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. ⁶ But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. ⁷ Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. ⁸ Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.

¹⁸ “Listen then to what the parable of the Sower means: ¹⁹ When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. ²⁰ The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. ²¹ But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. ²² The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. ²³ But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

 

·         Who is the Sower in this parable? Most commentaries would identify the Sower as God, or Jesus, and at the time of it’s telling this was the case. However, I would now argue that all Christians, as part of the body of Christ, are Sowers, in that we have the responsibility to carry the gospel to others.

·         Do we scatter or sow? Scattering has the connotation of randomly tossing seed around regardless of where it will land. Perhaps at the time when Jesus told this parable, farming methods were fairly rudimentary and seed did fall on rocky paths or shallow soil. We certainly know that Israel is a country with a very rocky landscape. Modern herbicides were unknown, so it’s likely that weeds were a problem too.

 

As a gardener, I like to consider how I plant seeds when I want to produce a harvest of e.g., juicy sweet tomatoes. First, I will have prepared a vegetable plot, making a bed filled with good garden loam in a sunny position. There is edging material to keep my dogs from trampling on the plants. When I’ve planted my crop, the work does not stop there. I need to be attentive to it. I need to water the plants, add mulch and fertilizer, control pests and be patient, selecting the fruit for use when it’s ripe.

Can we use this analogy when thinking about this parable? Jesus has given us a picture of the types of ground on which the seed can be sown, symbolising the types of heart which responds to the gospel. I wonder if there is an opportunity to change rocky ground or weed strewn ground into good soil? Is there anything which can prevent the birds (the devil) snatching away the seed?

 Sharing the love of Jesus can be a scattering- random acts of kindness to strangers, tracts given out, street preaching, posts on the internet. These can be seeds which others may nurture. I’m not discounting the ways in which God can use all things for His kingdom glory.

Each of us, however, is placed by God in various circles of influence- families, workplaces, social groups, neighbourhoods, schools and many other places. Most of us know non-believers whom we would like to see come to Christ.

Are we able to see the barren or weed-choked hearts of others changed into hearts for God? Two words come to mind here – commitment and intentionality. We must be willing to commit long term to others, to pray for them first and foremost, because prayer needs to underpin anything else that we attempt. Prayer warriors may be vital in preparing the groundwork for planting. They may also be the scarecrows that keep the birds from snatching away the seed.

 

We need to intentionally show God’s love in various ways, by being an example of that love -being a giver, a helper, a comforter, a provider, a counsellor, a mediator, a forgiver, an encourager. The practical helpers and givers in the kingdom are the ones who can clear away the weeds of trouble that can choke the gospel.

 

We need to be unafraid to share the Gospel and our testimony and faith in God. We need to be discerning and rely on the Holy Spirit to give us the right words to say, at the right time, in the right measure. As a good gardener nourishes and waters his plants, so we too need to feed on the word of God and assist others to understand where possible. The Bible, Christian books and commentaries, internet resources and courses such as Alpha are great resources.

 

 

^“5 What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. ⁶ I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. ⁷ So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. ⁸ The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labour. ⁹ For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.” (1 Corinthians 3:5-9)