People approach the word of God in one of two ways. Either they have a belief and look to validate it or get their beliefs from study. The former use is the natural use. We all want to think our ideas are original or we like what we hear so that is accepted at face value. The latter, scripture as primary source, takes much more effort. It requires one to place beliefs under the microscope for objective evaluation.
The following passage is presented by several different groups as an explanation on why some are saved and others lost.
“Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and immediately it sprang up, since it had no depth of soil. And when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away. Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.” And he said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
(Mark 4:3-9 ESV)
Okay. This looks like a reasonable use of the text: When one sows seed the receiving ground must be prepared ahead of time. The type of seed spoken of here would be the type that produces grain such as wheat. The seeds are very small and scattered as opposed to put into holes or troughs in the soil. The ground that is well prepared ahead of time is the one to produce the fruit.
Some will say the people mentioned in most groups did not prepare themselves for the message. Others will say a preacher did not soften them up with the law enough. Still others say the sower did not care about those people who are not receiving and producing.
Is this what Jesus was teaching? Was he really trying to explain why some are not saved?
The sower sows the word.
(Mark 4:14 ESV)
Just like all the parables, Jesus is the subject. Jesus is the sower spreading his words into people’s ears for their salvation. Those who will not listen — men and women who will obstinately refuse the free gift of salvation in favor of saving themselves, atheists who convince themselves no God exists, and people who are scandalized about a Creator who will actually die for his enemies — will spurn Jesus’ cross.
Travel the more difficult path to understanding scripture which is so straight a child can grasp it. It is incredible the good news of Jesus would prompt us to ask questions of morbid curiosity rather than praise Our Lord for his powerful words.
Trust these words and live in the peace they perform. Amen. †
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