Parables of Jesus in Matthew
CONTENTS
- Parable of the Lamp (Matthew 5:14-16)
- Parable of New Cloth and Old Coat (9:16-17 )
- Parable of the Speck and the Log (Matthew 7:1-5 )
- Parable of the divided Kingdom ( Matthew 12:24-30 )
- Parable of the Sower ( Matthew 13:1-13)
- Parable of the Weeds among the Wheat ( Matt 13:24-30)
- Parable of the Mustard Seed ( Matthew 13:31-32)
- Parable of the Leaven ( Matthew 13:33-34 )
- Parable of the Hidden Treasure ( Matthew 13:44)
- Parable of the Pearl of Great Price ( Matthew 13:45-46)
- Parable of the Net ( Matthew 13:47-50)
- Parable of the Heart of Man ( Matthew 15:10-20)
- Parable of the Lost Sheep ( Matthew 18:10-14)
- Parable of the Unforgiving Servant ( Matthew 18:23-35)
- Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard ( Matthew 20:1-16)
- Parable of the two Sons ( Matthew 21:28-32)
- Parable of the Tenant Farmers ( Matthew 21:33-45)
- Parable of the Marriage Feast or Great Banquet ( Matthew 22:1-14)
- Parable of the Budding Fig Tree ( Matthew 24:32-35)
- Parable of the Faithful and Wicked Servant ( Matthew 24:45-51)
- Parable of the Talents or Gold ( Matthew 25:1-13)
- Parable of the Ten Virgins ( Matthew 25:1-13)
Parable of the Lamp (Matthew 5:14-16)
Jesus tells the parable of the lamp
to encourage his followers to stand
out ,to be examples and not hide
away.
The parable's message would have
been challenging for the first Christians.
They were threaten with death. They
were cruelly persecuted.
The first Christians may have hidden
their faith as they did not wish to
be imprisoned, tortured , or killed
because of their faith.
Jesus uses the example of an
lamp. The lamp was brought
into the home to provide light.
The lamp is not hidden under the
bed. The lamp is set on a
lamp stand where it could have
shine.
21 And he said unto them,
Is a candle brought to be
put under a bushel, or under
a bed? and not to
be set on a candlestick?
22 For there is nothing hid,
which shall not be manifested;
neither was any thing kept secret,
but that it should come abroad.
23 If any man have ears to hear,
let him hear.
24 And he said unto them,
Take heed what you hear: with
what measure
you mete, it shall be measured
to you: and unto you that hear
shall more be given.
25 For he that has, to him
shall be given: and he that has
not, from him shall be taken
even that which he has.
26 And he said, So is the
kingdom of God, as if a man should cast
seed into the ground;
27 And should sleep, and rise night
and day, and the seed should
spring and grow up, he knows not how.
(MARK 4:21- 27 )
14 You are the light of the world.
A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle,
and put it under a bushel,
but on a candlestick; and it gives
light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men,
that they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father which is
in heaven.(Matt.5:14|-16)
Jesus wants the believers to spread and
develop. Jesus wants believers to
proclaim and show faith.
The world reads the believers. You
are the light of the world . Jesus
tells a parable about a lamp and what
it means to us.
In order to get the most light ,
the lamp is set on a lampstand
where their light could spread
throughout the room.
For obvious reasons a lamp is not
placed under the bed because
it would hide their light.
And the lamp could not
fulfill is purpose.
As a lamp you wish your light
to shine.
And Jesus said unto them,
Is a lamp brought to be
put under a bushel, or under
a bed? and not to
be set on a stand , where its
light will shine ?
The believers who receive the
light of the gospel are not to
conceal it. They are let the
light shine through them for
others to see.
Light is Christ. Light is truth.
Light is the spiritual life of
Christ.
Jesus does not want us to hide
what He has done in our life.
We have an obligation. We
have received the gospel.
We are to live the gospel
openly and share the gospel
with others.
We are to love others regardless
of race and religion like a Good
Samaritan.
You are the light of the world.
Let your love shine before the
world so that they will see the
love of Christ through you.
Be open about your love for
Jesus. Be open about your love
for others. You love them
because Jesus loves you.
Let Jesus be seen through you.
Your love and good deeds is
the light that God uses that
causes others to praise God.
Let your light shine.
When others are rude , you
will be patient. When others
are harsh , you will be kind.
When others hate , you will
show love. When others are
filled with panic , you will be
calm. When others are
living with fear , you will
live by faith.
Let your love and good deeds
shine out for all to see , so
that folks will praise your
heavenly Father. As a lamp ,
your light will shine.
The believer has been transformed
by Christ are to present His love
and truth to others.
14 You are the light of the world.
A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle,
and put it under a bushel,
but on a candlestick; and it gives
light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men,
that they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father which is
in heaven.(Matt.5:14|-16)
God's truth and light shines into
the dark. In the light you will
be able to see.
Within time , as love and truth
is being shared , the hard ground
reveals itself , the shallow rocky
ground reveals itself , and the
worldly and thorny ground reveals
itself.
The hidden reality of your
love is made clear for all to see.
Love defeats evil.
Love shines into the darkness of
evil.
When evil people see the light ,
they soon abandon their wickedness
and began to love,
The people that walked
in darkness
have seen a great light:
they that dwell in the land
of the shadow of death,
upon them has the light shined.
(Isaiah 9:2)
Jesus came not just to
identifies with mankind. He
also came to reconcile the
world unto God.
Evil folks dwell in the land
of the shadow of death. Evil
folks walked in darkness.
Your light will shine upon them,
They will see the great light and
give up their evil and praise
your heavenly Father.
21 And he said unto them,
Is a candle brought to be
put under a bushel, or under
a bed? and not to
be set on a candlestick?
22 For there is nothing hid,
which shall not be manifested;
neither was any thing kept secret,
but that it should come abroad.
23 If any man have ears to hear,
let him hear.
24 And he said unto them,
Take heed what you hear: with
what measure
you mete, it shall be measured
to you: and unto you that hear
shall more be given.
25 For he that has, to him
shall be given: and he that has
not, from him shall be taken
even that which he has.
26 And he said, So is the
kingdom of God, as if a man
should cast seed into the
ground;
27 And should sleep, and rise night
and day, and the seed should
spring and grow up, he knows not how.
(MARK 4:21- 27 )
21 And he said unto them,
Is a candle brought to be
put under a bushel, or under
a bed? and not to
be set on a candlestick?
(Mark 4:21)
Don't hid your light under the
bed. No one will see your light
under the bed. Don't hide your
love under the bed. No one
will see your love under the
bed. Your love will be wasted
under the bed.
Set your light on a candlestick
so that all will see.
Set your love on the lamp stand
so that all will see it.
22 For there is nothing hid,
which shall not be manifested;
neither was any thing kept secret,
but that it should come abroad.
23 If any man have ears to hear,
let him hear.
Those folks who have receive
Christ's love and truth are not to
conceal it. You are to let your love
shine for others to see. Let your
light of Christ truth and love shine
for others to see. Christ does not
want you to hide what He has
done in your life.
22 For there is nothing hid,
which shall not be manifested;
neither was any thing kept secret,
but that it should come abroad.
23 If any man have ears to hear,
let him hear.
24 And he said unto them,
Take heed what you hear: with
what measure
you mete, it shall be measured
to you: and unto you that hear
shall more be given.
25 For he that has, to him
shall be given: and he that has
not, from him shall be taken
even that which he has.
For he that has the love of Christ
to him shall be given.
He that has not, from him shall
be taken even that which he has.
These are the false believers.
The rocky ground folks and the
thorny ground folks may claim
to have spiritual life. But in reality
they are not spiritual . They may
profess to know God , but their
works deny God.
Be careful what you hear.
For those people who are not
listening ; even what they think
they understand will be taken
away from them.
You are the light of the world.
You are like a city on a hilltop
that cannot be hidden.
Be open about your love for
Christ. Be open about your
love for others. Your love
and good deeds is the light
that God uses that causes
others to praise Him.
As a lamp you reveal what is
hidden.
The secret is the kingdom of
God.
Before Jesus came the kingdom
of God was not clear. But when
Jesus came , He made the
secret of the kingdom of God
more clear and understandable.
A lamp of God lives by the
kingdom truth of love. We
share the kingdom truth of
love with others. We help
to bring God's kingdom of
love into the light.
We help others understand
the Good News of Jesus.
We help others understand
that Jesus died for us.
God's secret about salvation
will be brought to light.
26 And he said, So is the
kingdom of God, as if a man
should cast seed into the
ground;
27 And should sleep, and rise night
and day, and the seed should
spring and grow up, he knows not how.
(MARK 4:26- 27 )
We let our love shine into the
darkness . We love others regardless
of race .We have patient with others.
We do good deeds to others. We
give generously.
So the kingdom of God ,as if a man
should cast love into the ground ,
and should sleep , and rise night
and day , and love should spring
up , he knows not how.
God makes love grow among others.
Parable of new Cloth on Old Garment (Matthew 9:16-17)
Jesus is contrasting the old
Mosaic covenant with the new
covenant. It was foretold by the
prophets . And it was revealed
in the New Testament.
In the old covenant salvation
is based on performance.
A person is saved if he live up
to a certain level of performance.
In the New covenant a person
is saved through the forgiveness
of sins , which requires only faith
in Christ's atoning work . After
having been saved , God
regenerates the person . God
causes him to live a way of life
consistent with that of a child
of God.
Man's sinful nature has made the
old covenant ineffective.
There are those who fail to keep
God's standards. They think that
Christ came simply to help them
become better people. They think
they can be justified by their
performance. This is putting
new cloth on an old garment.
Due to their sin , they have holes
in their garment. They cut a cloth
out of the gospel. And they try
to attach it to a work-based
salvation concept.
They say salvation is obtained as
a free gift. This a new cloth. Then
they say that the salvation must
be maintained by one's works
or else they are lost. They think
salvation is base on performance.
That is the old garment.
Their idea of work based salvation
will fail them.
16 No man puts a piece of
new cloth unto an old garment,
for that which is put in to fill it
up takes from the garment,
and the rent is made worse.
17 Neither do men put new wines
into old bottles: else the bottles
break, and the wine runs out,
and the bottles perish: but they
put new wine into new bottles,
and both are preserved.
(Matt.9:16-17)
21 No man also sews a piece
of new cloth on an old garment:
else the new piece that filled it
up takes away from the old,
and the rent is made worse.
22 And no man puts new wine
into old bottles: else the new wine
does burst the bottles, and the
wine is spilled, and the bottles will
be marred: but new wine must be
put into new bottles.
(Mark 2:21)
36 And he spoke also a parable unto them;
No man puts a piece of a new garment
upon an old; if otherwise, then both the
new makes a rent, and the piece that
was taken out of the new agrees not
with the old.
(Luke5:36)
A parable is a story that is easy to
understand. A parable is used to
explain things that are difficult
to understand . especially spiritual
truths. Parables are easy to remember.
Jesus uses the parables to make
the truth clear to those folks who
were willing to hear. Parables are
meaningless to those who lack
spiritual interest.
How is it that John's disciples
and the disciples of the Pharisees
are fasting, but Yours are not ?
Jesus knew who He was. Jesus
was the Messiah , the Lord , the
Savior. Jesus knew He was the
Son of God.
Jesus understood His importance.
Jesus understood the importance
of His life and ministry.
Jesus understood His mission
Jesus is to proclaim the
Good News about Himself.
Jesus is to reveal God in a greater
way . Jesus is to die a
sacrificial death. Jesus is then
to rise from death so that man
can be reconciled to God.
Jesus understood He is in
the process of making a New
Covenant. It is a new and better
relationship between God and
people.
Immanuel (God with us) is with
His disciples. Jesus knows that
He is in the process of making
a New Covenant . A new and
better relationship between God
and the people. Jesus knows
that the Son of God becoming
man and living among man is
a thing of great importance.
Fasting is in keeping with sadness
and mourning.
His disciples will not fast
because Immanuel (God with us)
is with them.
Jesus said,
How can the guests of the
groom fast while he is with
them ?
The disciples will not fast as
long as they have Jesus with
them.
But the time will come when
the groom will be taken from
them. Then on that day the
disciples will fast.
36 And he spoke also a parable unto them;
No man puts a piece of a new garment
upon an old; if otherwise, then both the
new makes a rent, and the piece that
was taken out of the new agrees not
with the old.
(Luke5:36)
No one sews a new cloth on an
old garment. Otherwise , the cloth
will pull away from the old garment ,
making the tear worse.
The old garment is Judaism ,
including the tradition of
fasting.
God designed the Old Covenant
to regulate the life of the Chosen
people. Its laws governed of the
people of the Chosen people.
The New Covenant was designed
by God , not to govern just one
nation. The New Covenant was
designed by God to govern the
faith of individuals from all nations.
The new cloth is New covenant
The New Covenant must not be
considered to be like a patch.
It is not a minor addition to the
Old Covenant.
The New Covenant is too new , too
important , too different for the Old
Covenant.
The Old Covenant is about laws
and rituals and the temple and
the priesthood and sacrifices.
The New Covenant is different.
The New Covenant is not focused
on observing laws. It is freedom
from law.
The New Covenant is about
God's truth. It is about having the
amazement of Christ's presence
in our lives. It is about the
salvation Christ brings . It is
about the power Christ brings
to enables us to live a righteous
life.
It is about the love Christ brings
to enable us to love the people
of all nations.
PARABLE OF THE SPECK AND LOG (Matthew 7:1-5)
Jesus warns us to remove the
log before going to remove
the speck .Jesus warns us
against hypocrisy while seeing
the sin in other folks while
ignoring the obvious sin in
our own life.
Do you see the splinter in
someone else's eye and never
notice the log in your own eye.
The faults of other are easier
to see than one's own.
Why do you see the splinter
in someone's else's eye and
never notice the log in your own.
1 Judge not, that you be not judged.
2 For with what judgment you judge,
you shall be judged: and with what
measure you mete, it shall be
measured to you again.
3 And why behold you the mote
that is in your brother's eye,
but consider not the beam that
is in your own eye?
4 Or how will you say to your
brother, Let me pull out the mote
out of your eye; and, behold,
a beam is in your own eye?
5 You hypocrite, first cast out
the beam out of your own eye;
and then shall you see clearly
to cast out the mote out of your
brother's eye.
Matt. 7:1-5)
41 And why behold you the
mote that is in your
brother's eye, but perceive
not the beam that is
in your own eye?
42 Either how can you say
to your brother, Brother,
let me pull out the mote
that is in your eye,
when you yourself behold
not the beam that is in
your own eye? You hypocrite,
cast out first the beam
out of your own eye, and
then shall you see clearly
to pull out the mote
that is in your brother's
eye.
(Luke6:40-42)
How can you get the saw dust
out of your brother's eye if
you have a huge log in your
own eye. Some people can
find fault in the lives of others
because they are so familiar
with the sin themselves.
They can find certain things in
another person's life because
they are guilty of the same sin.
If God forgives us, then we should
forgive others,
Don't be a hypocrite. First remove
the log out of your own eye. And
then you can see clearly to
remove the tiny speck of dust out
of your brother's eye.
It is impossible for a person to
completely clear away his own
flaws (sins). Thus, the opportunity
to judge other people will never
arise. The opportunity to be without
sin is not possible. We are all
sinners.
Jesus warns us about hypocrisy.
Don't focus on the flaws (sin) in
others while you ignore the sin in
your own life.
Judging is to be done by God the
Father.
You should be concern yourself
with making your soul ready for
the acceptance into the kingdom
of God.
We should root out the sin in our
lives. We should not be concern
with the sins of other people.
Jesus condemns the hypocritical
selfish criticism of other people.
Judging other people as if we are
the standard of goodness is evil.
God does not give man authority
to judge the righteousness of
others using our standards.We
are all sinners. We are in no
position to pronounce judgment
because we ourselves can be guilty
of sin.
We are blind to our own sin. Judging
others is foolish.
Why are we so skilful to judge the
speck of sawdust in a brother's eye
and to forget to notice the log in
our own eye.
You can recognize the tiny speck
in the lives of others while we walk
around with huge ugly sin of our
own. God forbids us to assume our
role as judge over brothers and
sisters.
------------------------------
PARABLE OF THE SOWER (Matt 13:1-9)
1 The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side.
2 And great multitudes were
gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.
3 And he spoke many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:
5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth.
6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:
8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixty fold, some thirty fold.
9 Who has ears to hear, let him hear.
(Mark 4:1-20)
1 And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was
gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship,
and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land.
2 And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,
3 Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow:
4 And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.
5 And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:
6 But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.
7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.
8 And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.
9 And he said unto them, He that has ears to hear, let him hear.
10 And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.
11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted,
and their sins should be forgiven them.
13 And he said unto them, Know you not this parable? and how then will you know all parables?
14 The sower sows the word.
15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan comes immediately, and takes away the
word that was sown in their hearts.
16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution arises for the word's
sake, immediately they are offended.
18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,
19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it
becomes unfruitful.
20 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.
(Luke 8:1-15)
1 And it came to pass afterwards, that he went throughout every city and
village, preaching and showing the glad tidings of the kingdom
of God: and the twelve were with him,
2 And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits
and infirmities, Mary called
Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,
3 And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.
4 And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spoke by a parable:
5 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.
6 And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.
7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.
8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that has ears to hear, let him hear.
9 And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be?
10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.
11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then comes the devil, and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
And Jesus spoke many things unto them in parables,
saying ,
Behold , a sower went forth to sow .
And he sowed , some seeds fell by the way side ,
and the fowls came and devoured them up.
Some fell upon stony places , where they had not much
earth and forthwith they sprung up . because they had
no deepness of earth.
And when the sun was up . they were scorched,
and because they had no root they withered away.
And some fell into among thorns , and the torn
sprung up, and choked them.
But other fell into good ground , and brought forth fruit ,
some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold , some thirtyfold.
Who has ear , let him hear.
The Lord Jesus is sowing the seed. This defines the
work of Jesus in the world. Jesus is doing the work
of a farmer , sowing seed. Jesus is king but he does the
work of a farmer, today.
The seed represents the Word of God.
The field symbolizes the world.
In the world there are multitudes of people.
The Word is given to the one. The Word is given to another. One accepts the Word.
Another does not accepts it. Our business is
to sow the seed. Our business is to sow the Word.
Although not everyone will receive it.
The Lord Jesus has charge of business of sowing
the seed.
My business is to sow the Word while I am in
the world, and it is your business to sow the World
while you are in the world.
The seed falls in four types of soil. Three fourth
of the seed do not grow.
The soil was the problem. There was nothing wrong with the seed. As far as the seed is concerned the
condition of the soil is extremely important.
The Lord says that some seed fell by the wayside.
And the birds come and ate it up.
Jesus explains to his disciples
When anyone hears the
the Word of the kingdom, and
understands it not , then comes the wicked one and catches away that which was sown in his heart.
This is he which receive seed by the wayside.
The birds represent the evil one. The devil takes
away the seed sown by the wayside. The wayside
represents the Word of God , but they are in the
sideline . Some of them have fallen away. And do they belong to lodge? Do they belong to a club ?
Do they belong to a cult ?
20 But he that received the seed into stony places,
the same is he that hears the word, and anon with
joy receives it;
21 Yet has he not root in himself, but endures for a
while: for when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, by and by he is offended. (Matt 13:20-21)
The rocky ground folk have problem with the
flesh. They have no relationship with Christ. They just have an emotional high.
The third group of hearers is like thorny ground folks.
22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that hears the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.(Matt 13:22)
With the thorny ground folks the world crowds out the Word of God . The devil got the wayside folks.
The flesh took care of the rocky ground folk.
Sometimes it's the deceitfulness of riches.
Sometimes it's poverty.
The cares of the world crowd out the Word of God.
And the world chokes out the the Word of God for the thorny ground hearers. The flesh took care of the rocky ground folk.
And the world chokes out the Word for thorny ground hearers.
The cares of the world moves into the rocky ground folk.
These three types of soil does not represents the believers. They are not believers.
They have heard the Word of God and have not receive it.
Thank God. Some seed are in good ground.
23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that hears the word, and understands it; which
also bears fruit, and brings forth, some an hundredfold ,
some sixty, some thirty.
The hearers who receives the Word understand it.
Some of the hearers bring forth thirty fold.
Some of the hearers bring forth a hundred fold.
In the world Jesus is the sowing the seed of the Word of God.
And the Holy Spirit applies the Word to the hearers who want to believe.
10 And the disciples came, and said unto him,
Why speak you unto them in parables?
11 He answered and said unto them,
Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries
of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
12 For whosoever has, to him shall be given,
and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever
has not, from him shall be taken away even that he has.
13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they
seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias,
which said, By hearing you shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing you shall see, and shall
not perceive:
15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their
ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have
closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes,
and hear with their ears, and should understand with
their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and
your ears, for they hear.
17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and
righteous men have desired to see those things which
you see, and have not seen them; and to hear those
things which you hear, and have not heard them.
18 Hear you therefore the parable of the sower.
19 When any one hears the word of the kingdom, and understands it not, then comes the wicked one,
and catches away that which was sown in his heart.
This is he which received seed by the way side.
20 But he that received the seed into stony places,
the same is he that hears the word, and anon with joy receives it;
21 Yet has he not root in himself, but endures for a while: for when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, by and by he is offended.
22 He also that received seed among the thorns
is he that hears the word; and the care of this world,
and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word,
and he becomes unfruitful.
23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that hears the word, and understands it; which
also bears fruit, and brings forth, some an hundredfold , some sixty.(Matt 13:10-23)
There are different responses to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The sower is Jesus Christ and the seed is the Word of God.
The human heart is like the soil to the seed of the Word of God.
The soil that the seed fell in represents four types of human hearts.
There are four different reactions to the Word God :
- the hard heart
- the shallow heart
- the crowded heart
- the fruitful heart
The seed falls along the roadside.
The hard heart people who hear the Word of God , but they never really believe.
The shallow heart folks have
no root to sustain them. They whither and, die. The shallow heart folks hear the Word of God. They receive it with joy , but because they don't have root to sustain them , they whither and die.
The crowded heart folks is choked out by the world.
The seed falls here are busy with the cares and rich ground where weeds choked out its growth.
These folks are busy with the cares and riches of the world. They lose interest in the things of God.
The faithful heart folks received the Word of God.
The seed falls in good ground and the plants produce a rich harvest.
People are the ones who determine what kind of soil their hearts will be.
They decide whether they will have a hard heart, a shallow heart , a crowded heart or a fruitful heart.
Therefore lat aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness , and receive with meekness the implanted word ,
which is able to save your souls
(James 1:21)
The Word of God can not work in our lives unless our hearts open and receive the Word of God.
How does the human heart respond to the Word of God ?
The Word of God falls on the path.
And the birds come and eat the seed.
This is the hard hearts folks.
The hard heart folks sits under the preaching of the gospel. It does not penetrate their heart. The Word of God hit their eardrums and bounce off.
The hard heart folks never hear it. The Word of God never penetrate.
And the hard heart folks walk away completely unaffected by the Word of God.
This is the shallow heart folks .
The seed of the Word of God falls on the thorny soil. The seed sprouts up. They want to live according to the gospel.
But then the thorns or cares of the world , rise up and choke it out.
The shallow heart folks begin to get distracted by money or by the pursuit of power or the pursuit of worldly pleasures.
And before long , the plant that grew the out of the seed of Word shrivels and die.
This is the crowded heart folks .
The seed falls on the ground where weeds choke out its growth. The crowded heart folks , busy with the
cares and riches of the world ,
just lose interest in the things of God.
The seed falls on the rocky soil.
This is the crowed heart folks.
This kind of soil is very shallow
because there is rock underneath it. The seed falls on the rocky ground . It germinates immediately.
The plant shoots up because the roots don't get very deep.
And when the sun comes out
it burn the roots.
The Word has not had any deep
rooting in the person's heart.
Under persecution the plant dies.
The fruitful heart folks receives the Word of God.
The Word of God falls in a deep
fertile soil.
It sends down foundation with
the soil. It grabs on and begins
to get nourished by the soil.
The plant sprout up. It begins to produce fruits. This is the kind of fruitful life you should have .
You ought to have this kind of
response to the Word of God.
It is not choked out.
It does not shrivelled up by persecution.
It is not me that does not care.
The fruitful heart folks care about the things of God.
It is not me that does not has no penetration at all.
But the fruitful heart folks is the one that receives the Word of God.
The fruitful heart folks is the one that sends down roots with it. It begins to get nourished by it. And it produces fruit.