|
This Parable of the Sower is recorded in
three Gospels — Matthew 13, Mark 4 and Luke 8. Though
recorded separately, they give the same crucial principle
and all three of them combined give us the overview of
understanding the very essential learning point that we
ought to grasp from this parable. Moreover, the peculiarity
of this parable is that as our Lord Jesus Himself gives the
parable, He is likewise the Expositor of it. He shares the
parable and gives an explanation to it. Thus, we can see
that it is not open to whatsoever debate or questioning.
Instead, we are called to an immediate understanding and
comprehension of the fundamental teaching of this parable.
As we go through the exposition of this
parable, our main focus today is on the ‘Sower’ himself.
As we put the character and the occupation
into consideration, we realise the importance of the sower
going to sow. Indeed, the work of the farmer is one of
toughness and toil. It involves a great deal of sweat,
patience and even tears as the farmer goes forth in labour.
It is through this so-called ‘lowly’ and
‘menial’ occupation that our Lord Jesus used to describe the
truths of the Kingdom of Heaven. Through such simplicity,
the heavenly teachings of God are expounded, and thereby, we
sinners, are able to comprehend.
In addition, have you ever thought that the
work of the sower is one of the most essential in the world?
This act of sowing by just an individual farmer is of so
much greater importance than that of the many major events
in the course of human history. Such is a mean occupation as
perceived by the world, yet, it is in fact an extraordinary
calling. As we understand it in a spiritual context, we are
actually talking about the soul that never dies; we are
actually talking about whether a soul will end up in eternal
bliss or eternal destruction; we are actually talking about
the matters of eternal value! Herein lies the reason why our
Lord Jesus stressed this work of a sower.
“For the preaching of the cross is to them
that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is
the power of God. For after that in the wisdom of God the
world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the
foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (I
Cor 1:18, 21).
It is of great necessity to sow. If not,
there will be no harvest, neither will there be any yield.
This in turn will mean that there will be no bread, no food.
The very first action of sowing is a weighty matter.
Physically, it is the beginning of the food supply chain of
humans. Spiritually speaking, it is grace for the souls!
Who is this Sower then?
Not much description has been given
pertaining to this character. However, as we ponder, we come
to realise that our Lord Jesus is the Chief Sower, the best
and uncompromising Sower of the seed.
Similarly, in the light of Christ being our
Chief Sower, we who are found in Christ are also sowers in
His sight; Though lesser, though weaker, we too are fellow
sowers of Christ, sharing the glad tidings of salvation to
the lost sinners in the world. Did you realise something
about that sower? He is merely “A sower” — no name, no fame
and no reputation. This is what we ought to be,
self-forgetful, self-abasing. We ought to be abased whilst
our Lord Jesus magnified. Christ must increase while we
decrease. Such should be the spirit and attitude of a
servant found in Christ.
With the knowledge that we too are sowers in
God’s sight, the next step calls for a living faith, one
which requires zeal and desire to speak for our Lord Jesus
for the lost. This is especially an imperative in these last
days of peril and falling away. Everyone, that is to say,
all of us, ought to be soul-winners for our Lord Jesus and
the point is that never should the Gospel of glad tidings be
kept from the lost, from the great multitude in this world
who are heading for eternal destruction.
“How beautiful are the feet of them that
preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good
things!” (Rom 10:15b).
What we do know about the Sower?
Although the knowledge we have of the sower
is minimal, there are still essential details that we can
derive from the Scriptures that we can learn and apply them
in our lives.
“The sower soweth the word.”
— Mark 4:14
“A sower went out to sow his seed…”
— Luke 8:5a
“Now the parable is this: The seed is the
word of God.”
— Luke 8:11
These verses give us glimpses of what the
sower is sowing — the Word of God. From these few verses,
what we can see is that the seeds are his possession
as we can see from what is recorded for us — “his seed.”
Thus it gives us an implication that these seeds are
just like his possession, his portion and his property.
What does it mean as we apply it in our lives
then?
Certainly, before we can share the glad
tidings of salvation, we too must be partakers of it. We
too, must possess the portion of our Lord Jesus in our
hearts. Likewise, by our Lord’s divine grace, the word of
God must be our heritage, delight and foundation of our
lives. Having the seeds under his possession, we notice how
the sower taketh the seeds (i.e. the word of God) in
high esteem. How does a godly man live and view God’s Word
then?
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in
the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of
sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his
delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law doth he
meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted
by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his
season…” (Psalm 1:1-3).
Take note: without Christ, without the word
of God, the sower will then have nothing in his pouch to
scatter. Without such great possession in his heart and his
life, he will have nothing! What more to say whether he will
have the glad tidings of salvation to share with others?
Truly, the Lord must guide us in this, the Lord must direct
us in this very weighty matter as we tread on this earth.
Again, we do remember that this sowing of
seeds is not a matter of intellect, neither is it a matter
of eloquence or that of any gift whatsoever. Instead, this
burden for souls is that which comes from the heart and
nowhere else. Dumb our minds may be, inert our hearts would
be and how weak we may be . But this is what our Lord Jesus
has promised: “All power is given unto me…”
(Matt 28:18).
Once again, “How beautiful are the feet of
them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings
of good things!” (Rom 10:15b).
May the Lord guide us. May the Lord grant us
more burden in our hearts. Amen! |
