The Sower
By Beth Satterfield
Matthew 13: 1-9 and 18-23 (NIV)
The Parable of the Sower
13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
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The temptation with well-known Scripture, like the parable of the Sower, is to gloss over it because we think we already understand it. So, let’s begin this devotional reading somewhere different. Let’s go, not to the fields with the proverbial Sower, but to the spot where Jesus is speaking to the crowd—at the seashore.
If you’ve ever stood at the ocean’s edge (in the Carolinas at least), you may have noticed small, colorful shelled creatures called coquinas. When a wave pulls back and leaves them exposed, almost immediately they up-end themselves and begin digging down into the sand, disappearing into safety before anything can snatch them away.
Today, I find myself wishing that the seeds of God’s Word would do the same—that as soon as those seeds are scattered over my heart, they would dig their way down deep.
And it would be nice if—without much effort from me—God’s Word would burrow past the noise and past my shallow places. I wish it could up-end itself immediately and dig past the parts of my soul packed hard by hurry, habit and worry. I wish it could, of its own accord, sink so fast that distractions could never steal it, trouble could never scorch it, and thorns would not be able to choke it.
But we know that this isn’t how God works.
Like the Sower, He offers His Word freely, but He does not press it into us. Instead, He invites us and awaits our response.
So how do we use this freedom to respond in a way that starts moving our lives toward a hundred-fold harvest?
One way is to dig into God’s Word so He can dig into us.
I like to use my imagination to see, hear, smell and feel His story. I ask God to help me use the technique of visualization to get my roots of faith so deep--they tap into living water.
So join me this week in getting off the beaten path. Try stepping into the field or onto the shore. You might get into the boat, walk on some water or watch the coquinas dive. Let’s use this Lenten Season to ask God what new things He wants to say to you through His Word.
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This week try “Stepping into the field”
Read Matthew 13:1–9 and 18–23 slowly. Then close your eyes and use your imagination.
1. Use your senses
· What do you see? (crowd, shoreline, boat, field)
· What do you hear? (water, voices, birds, Jesus’ tone)
· What do you smell? (earth, grass, lake air)
· What do you feel? (sun, breeze, sand or soil under your feet)
2. Put yourself with the disciples Imagine you’re there with Jesus to hear the explanation of the parable. When He finishes, imagine you get to ask one question.
Some options:
· “Jesus, what is one rock or thorn in my life right now?”
· “Show me where I’m believing something false about You or something false about myself that’s keeping me from growing and producing.”
· “What do You want me to know or do about what You’ve shown me today?”
· “What am I believing about You that is limiting my yield?”
Prayer prompt: “Holy Spirit, tend the soil of my heart. Make me willing. Teach me to use my imagination to experience your Word in ways that make my life richer. Help me yield a bountiful crop in cooperation with you.”