The Sower and the Seed

By John Weaver

November 1, 2018

One day when a lot of people were gathered around Jesus, He preached a sermon about the sower and the seed. He said a man went out to sow seeds. Some seeds fell by the wayside, some fell on rocks, some among thorns, and some on good ground. Then Jesus interpreted His parable. The seed is the Word of God. The wayside is people who hear the Word of God, but before it can take root in this type of person, the devil comes and takes the Word out of their hearts so they don't get saved (his motive is clear).

The seed that falls on a rock is a person who hears and receives God’s Word with joy, but when temptations come, he falls away.

The seed falling among the thorns is where the Word of God starts to grow in a person's heart, but he gets sidetracked. Cares, pleasures, and riches take priority in this person's life. The result is that no fruit is brought to perfection.

The last group of seeds fall on good ground. That describes the Word of God falling on a good and honest heart. The Word takes root, and with time brings forth fruit, with patience.

Every one of us is described here in this verse. We are or were one of these people. I have many times seen myself as the one where the seed fell among the thorns. When I heard the good news of salvation, I was overjoyed. I started to grow in my spiritual life. I knew that Jesus was real. I trusted in Him, and life took on a whole new meaning.

Alas, soon my life was cluttered with work, with building my business, and going after pleasures. That faith, that joy of the Lord (my real strength) was pushed back. I did not “seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). Therefore, the fruit was not much there. I have said that I am so very grateful it doesn't say that the little plant died. It was hindered and its growth was stunted, but it didn't die.

Here is the good—no, the marvelous—part! Somehow when I came to my senses like the prodigal son, when I repented and turned around, God met me, just like the prodigal’s father met him. I was given another chance. I see the father lifting me out of the thorns and transplanting me on good ground. Then my life could flourish; I could become useful in the kingdom of God.

My life became fruitful. God has given me the opportunity to touch many lives in Honduras, in the church, and even by writing. It is God’s power working in and through me to show forth the marvelous and great God whom we serve. When I could have stayed in the thorns and lived life as a stunted and fruitless plant, God in His great mercy redeemed me for His use.

I will forever be thankful to my great God for His work in me—that He didn't let me just go on in the condition that I was in. I feel very privileged and loved by Him.

I marvel at the people who hear the Word of God and immediately start to grow and bring forth fruit. These people are the ones with the best testimony. I am sure that is the testimony of many of you. Praise God!

However, if your testimony is like mine, thank God that He cares for you, and if you haven't yet done so, ask Him now to transplant you into that good ground where you can flourish and bring those fruits that please and bring pleasure to the Master. What a mighty God we serve! Truly we love Him, because He first loved us (1 John 4:19).

 

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