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Explanation of the Parable of the Sower and the Soils

Text: Mark 4:1-20; Matthew 13:1-23; Luke 8:4-15
15 December 2013

EXPLANATION OF THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER AND THE SOILS

1. The Sower

a) It could refer to the Lord
b) It could refer to anyone sowing the word of God

2. The Seed

a) It is a clear reference to the Word of God
b) It is not our own ideas          (2 Corinthians 4:1-5)

3. The Soils

a) The Wayside          Mark 4:15
i) Hardened ground
ii) Satan’s work of snatching away the Word of God
b) The Stony Ground          Mark 4:16-17
i) Word received with gladness
ii) No root
iii) Endurance for a short while
iv) They stumble when they face tribulation or persecution
c) The Thorny Ground          Mark 4:18-19
i) Hearing of the word of God
ii) Cares of this world
iii) Deceitfulness of riches
iv) Desires for other things
v) The word of God is choked
vi) The ground is unfruitful
d) The Good Ground          Mark 4:20
i) Hears the word          Mark 4:20
ii) Understands it          Matthew 13:23
iii) Accepts it          Mark 4:20
iv) Bears fruit (thirtyfold, sixtyfold, hundredfold)          Mark 4:20
v) Noble and good heart          Luke 8:15
vi) Keep it          Luke 8:15
vii) Bear fruit with patience          Luke 8:15

POEMS CT

PARABLE OF THE SOWER AND THE SOILS

The work of the Sower must first be clearly understood
Why did He even bother to sow seeds on soils that would yield no fruit?
His work in sowing seeds on different types of soil reveal His heart,
But He knew that much depends on how each person would do his part.

The wayside soil represents a heart that has lain fallow for too long,
It has become cynical and hard, and deep within it there is no joyous song.
The Sower would still do His part in lovingly sow seeds of faith and Life,
But the Tempter would come and snatch away the Word that could heal all strife.

The stony soil depicts a heart that is all too shallow,
It hears the Word and rejoices but the response is sadly rather hollow.
The roots are not deep nor are they strong,
When trials come, they take away the joyous song.

The thorny soil describes a heart that is caught up with the worldly things
It likes the Word but the heart is unwilling to part with gaudy blings.
The Word gets all choked up and soon its meaning fades away,
There is no fruit to speak of, life returns to the usual grind of covetous dismay.

The good soil illustrates a heart that is noble and good,
The worth of the Kingdom is gratefully understood.
The good-hearted in time yields fruit that brings joy to the heart,
The Word of the Sower can great blessings to the soul impart.

Inspiration: Mark 4:3-9, 13-20