Jesus loved to teach using parables. Why? For one thing, eternal truths can most easily be expressed in story. What’s more, sometimes a single allegory can carry many hidden lessons. But these are not the only reasons. The masses saw the world in physical terms; they were not ready for God’s spiritual kingdom. Jesus had no choice; being more direct was not an option. Consider for example, the start of Jesus’ ministry as described in the gospel of Luke. Jesus enters a synagogue and stands up to read. As is the custom, an attendant comes over and hands him the Isaiah scroll. After turning to a well-known messianic prophecy from chapter 61, Jesus begins to read:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
Surprisingly, he then closes the scroll and hands it back. When he sits down, he encounters glaring stares. Why? He left off the key phrase: “To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God.” To those listening, that was the key point. The prophecy is one of deliverance. God was about to directly enter our realm, take control, and restore the Davidic kingdom. The enemies of Israel would get their just due. A new Exodus was in view. They all knew that. An explanation was in order. So, Jesus replies:
Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.
What happens next? The people begin muttering. This is not a good sign. They are wondering what is going on, and begin to ask each other. “Isn’t this the son of Joseph, the carpenter? What is he saying?” Of course, Jesus knows what is happening, but he unexpectedly does the unthinkable. He reminds his audience of incidents where Gentiles, not Jews were blessed. The Syrian general was healed of leprosy. The foreign widow encountered by Elijah was saved from starvation. His point: The coming kingdom of God is not only for Jews; it will include gentiles. The messiah’s mission does not include throwing out the Romans. A different kind of deliverance is coming.
Well, that did it. The pot boiled over and the people were enraged. “What? He thinks God is going to bless our oppressors? No way, this is blasphemy. This has to stop now.” A mob quickly forms, drives Jesus out of town, and even attempts to throw him off a cliff. So much for being direct. From that time forward, he relied solely on parables. They express truth, are heard, and yet they keep the spiritual meanings hidden. As Jesus often said: “He who has ears, let him hear.” The secrets of the kingdom going forward will be reserved for a few close disciples, and for us, who thousands of years later who have access to scripture. That is, if we are listening.
With this in mind, let’s imagine crowds coming to hear what this new prophet has to say. Jesus begins:
A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose, they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.” (Matt 13:3-9)
The crowds are baffled as they leave for home. Many are asking: “That one is a strange dude. What was he talking about? Do you know?” To this comes the answer: “I have no idea, but he sure says those things with authority. He is nothing like the religious leaders. I suppose he could be some kind of a prophet. Who knows? Time will tell.” If I were there, that would be me. Very few could figure out the significance of Jesus’ parables without an explanation. Not me anyway; solving riddles was never my strong suit.
We now have a huge advantage. So did the disciples. Privately, Jesus unraveled the enigma:
When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” (Matt13:19-23)
It seems clear, but maybe, not so much. This parable at first glance divides people into groups. You have the saved, the unsaved, the backslidden, and those that never slid forward in the first place. Is this the complete spiritual meaning? Just maybe, there might be more to the story.
I identify as a Christian. I remember the day when I first believed. It was not a dramatic decision, just one made in the quietness of my apartment. I’m not even sure how truly convinced I was at the time. Yet, in spite of some doubt, I believed and decided that from then on, I would follow Jesus. Does this mean that the soil of my heart is good? I don’t think I can say for sure.
This is my experience. I don’t often hear the Holy Spirit’s message very well. I guess that there is much static getting in the way. If I’m honest, the pounding at my heart’s door needs to be very loud for it to break through. This soil is quite hard, isn’t it? Occasionally, the sound of the message resonates. For example, something comes up that I think I should do. Perhaps it is to buy some supplies to support a local food bank. It could be a tug to join a group of volunteers to do some scheduled repairs. But then I forget all about it. Rocky soil, wouldn’t you say? There are those times where I make a commitment. Some time later, without thinking I schedule a conflicting appointment. My original promise goes by the boards. A thorny situation, is it not? All is not lost, though. There are those times when I follow through and feel God’s approval. I guess there is some good soil in me after all.
My point is this: Fields do not have one kind of soil. Our hearts have all kinds: hard, rocky, thorny, and fertile. Fortunately, we humans are mutable. We can change. The Holy Spirit can work the hard soil and sprinkle it with the gentle rain of living water. The rocks can be removed and the thorns pulled. Any kind of soil can be redeemed. Over time, if we are willing to let God do the work, our hearts can grow good trees producing much fruit. Our light can shine brightly in time.
Conclusion
Is a proclamation of belief evidence for having a heart full of good soil? As I’ve shown, maybe not. Do those who have not yet responded to the good news message have a heart of bad soil? Saying yes, would make us their judges, wouldn’t it? In times past when almost all of our acquaintances were Christian, labeling unbelievers as totally depraved might have gone unnoticed. Not anymore. In our time, we live in a global community connected through social media. A critical frame of mind yells loudly. Such an attitude gives ammunition to the stereotypical way that many regard Christianity. The nuanced view of the sower parable mitigates this tendency. If we understand that everyone, Christian and non-Christian alike, have hearts that are a mixture of soil types, it is easier to view our neighbors positively. Perhaps then we will be able to more easily love them as Jesus commands. We might even be more open to hearing the subtle messages from the Holy Spirit as God tills the soil of our own hearts. Salvation is not a decision made on a particular day. It is a lifelong journey.
Thanks for listening,secondlooknow.com
Dan,
Thanks, this article holds a lot of food for thought.
I especially like how you bring it all together ; ” we ” really do need to see our neighbors/friends/ non-friends as people on the way…just as we are.
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me….” statement Jesus made, is such GOOD news…He Restores; He takes away the “need” to condemn..
Your conclusion opens the door for better communication and “Seeing” others than us more positively and more kindly.
Who doesn’t need that?
Such fun with Isaiah 61.
Now I’ll read the blowing seeds part.
Any kind of soil can be redeemed?
Thank you, Dan!