THE PARABLE OF THE SOILS

Anything Jesus said would be worthy of preservation, and anything preserved in Scripture by the Spirit from His words calls for our closest attention indeed. "The Parable of the Soils," as we call it here, is thrice important, therefore, for it is reported in not one Gospel but three - and so is Christ's own interpretation! (See Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23; Mark 4:3-9, 13-20; Luke 8:4-15. References will not be given throughout the outline, though attention will be called to specific Gospel accounts.)

In Mark's Gospel this parable comes at an interesting point. Opposition has begun after a tour by Jesus of teaching in the synagogues. Now, gathered at the Lake, crowds encompass Him. Jesus sees the crowds: many individuals, many faces, many motives for being there, and many reactions to His words. The question must have been in the disciples' minds: Why do the crowds not accept the blessings of the words of Jesus? As Christ looks from the people to the ground on which they sit and around which they stand, He sees the answer to this question, and He relates it in this parable.

It is as when a sower goes out to sow. Walking down his well-trod path through the open field, the sower pitches his seed in all directions. Some falls on the hard path itself (wayside). Some lands on the rocky ground on either side of the path (stony ground). Some seed falls in the brambles and weeds at the edge of the crudely-cultivated dirt (thorny ground). And some seed lands where it was purposely intended: in the good ground which is ready to receive it and bring a harvest. So it is with men's hearts.

Body

I. THE WAY-SIDE (HARD PATH): BIRDS EAT THE SEED.

   A. The Evangelists' own emphasis falls differently here.

        1. Some hear even the word of the kingdom (divine rule) and do not understand it (Matthew).

        2. Satan comes and takes it away from some (Mark).

        3. The Devil prevents belief and salvation (Luke).

   B. Two Persons are always in church and hearing the sermon: Christ to sow the Word; Satan to snatch it away or make it void in the heart.

   C. The heart may be "hardened" by many things.

        1. A stifled conscience.

        2. The mind wandering to other affairs.

        3. An unconcerned heart.

        4. A prejudiced mind.

II. THE STONY-GROUND: SCORCHED BY OPPOSITION.

   A. When the Word does fall into even partially-receptive soil, Satan is ready to attack with force. The stony-ground heart has no depth, no root, no moisture.

   B. Here is the person who hears, receives the word with joy, then is offended (caused to stumble and fall) by persecution or pressures (tribulation) Matthew.

   C. This is the person who endures for a time, but then dries up and dies - Mark, Luke.

III. THE THORNY-GROUND: THE WORD BRINGS A PLANT BUT IS THEN CHOKED OUT BY OTHER THINGS.

   A. The thorny-ground is a weedy area. Here is not so much the adverse nature of thorns but the competing of other roots for the moisture and nutrition of the soil.

   B. Some hear, then find the Word choked out by various "thorns" which compete for their attention and concern.

        1. Cares of this world (Matthew).

        2. Deceitfulness of riches (Matthew).

        3. Lusts of other things (Mark).

        4. Pleasures of this life (Luke).

   C. The problem is not adversity but distraction. If Satan cannot overcome by frontal attack, he will seek to destroy through stealth and deceit.

IV. THE GOOD GROUND: BRINGS FORTH FRUIT AS INTENDED.

   A. This is the person who hears, understands and bears fruit. In the parable some yield 30, 60, or 100 fold (Mark), or some 100, 60, or 30 fold (Matthew). The numbers are unimportant: in the Eastern world of primitive farming techniques, 30 fold was an abundant harvest. Differences simply indicate that not all "good ground" is equally productive.

   B. Here is the good and honest heart (Luke). This person asks of every Word from God, "Lord, is it I?"

   C. Here is the man or woman who hears (understands), then keeps the Word. He does not leave it on the church door-step, but carries it home and brings fruit with endurance or patience.

Conclusion

Which kind of soil are you today? Jesus is sowing the Word. He offers you the opportunity to be a fruitful part of His plan. The choice is yours to make. Decide now to hear God's Word, receive it in faith, hold it in steadfastness, and allow it to bring in your life daily fruit to the glory of God.

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