The Parable of the Sower

[452 words] Jesus explained to the disciples that He spoke in parables, “…because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand” (Matthew 13:13). Parables were stories teaching practical lessons to those who wanted to hear and understand and to hide His message from those who were unreceptive. The parable of the Sower (Matt. 13:3-9, 18-23) is one of those parables that can be very plain if we choose to accept what the Lord is saying. Jesus speaks plainly of the seed as the Word (vs. 19). In sowing, the seed falls on different types of soil: roadside, rocky, thorny and good. Each soil is representative of hearts who hear the Word. The outcome of that seed and growth is based on the soil. We know that the heart of people who hear the Word will determine the amount of fruit or…