Matt 13 & Luke 8 - Reading
Matt 13 & Luke 8 - Audio
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Matthew groups Jesus’ teaching into five major discourses, and the parables in chapter 13 constitute the third of these collections. Of these parables, few are more well known than the parable of the sower (vv. 1–9, 18–23).
Though this parable is more commonly named after the sower of the seed, the “parable of the soils” is a more fitting title. The role of the sower in the story is important, but the parable’s point is twofold: first, to explain why different soils — different people — respond differently to the Gospel and, second, to invite us to examine ourselves to think about the kind of soil we hope to be.
The parable and its explanation are straightforward enough. All of the first three people portrayed are ultimately hard in heart, but the hardness is especially clear in the person described in verses 4 and 19 since that individual never shows an interest in the Gospel. His heart is calcified to the point where it resists all penetration by the seed, which is devoured by the Evil One and his minions, who were often represented by birds in first-century Jewish literature.
Those who fall away after professing faith are represented by the second and third soils. Without solid rooting in good soil, plants will wither and die under the sun’s heat (vv. 5–6). Similarly, some people appear to be thriving believers until persecution reveals their true colors (vv. 20–21), just like those in the first century who left Jesus when the going got tough (Heb. 3:12). Others, like vegetation choked by weeds, are strangled by the cares of this world and the love of money (Matt. 13:7, 22). This is an especially dreadful fate, for the one ensnared in such things does not usually know his predicament until it is too late, considering himself Christ’s follower even though he serves his riches (Mark 10:17–22).
Yet the fourth soil is notably different. This one understands and bears fruit — he accepts and conforms his life to the Gospel (Matt. 13:8–9, 23). The presence of fruit, not its quantity, is what matters. John Calvin says, “The fertility of that soil which yields a thirty-fold produce is small compared with that which yields a hundred-fold…[but Jesus] classes together all kinds of soil which do not entirely disappoint the labors and expectations of the husbandman.”
*The idea is that they would not go pull the "tares" because they would pull the crops with it. At the final harvest they will be sorted out.
2 comments:
I saw a Ray Vanderlaan video teaching on the area where the demon possessed man was, "country of the Gerasenes,which is opposite Galilee", and Ray said that later when Jesus came there again the people brought their sick to him, Mark 7:31. Ray felt that possibly the influence of this man had something to do with it. Seeing Mark 5:20 says "And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled."
Just something interesting to share.
You're right on Terri. It is believed that this is definitely a possibility, and it would explain how the town knew of Jesus. I find another truth in this passage as well. Jesus tells the man to stay where he already is and proclaim the gospel. Many times we think that we need to leave a place in order to do effective ministry, but God is calling us to minister wherever we are and throughout all areas of life. Stay put, and proclaim the gospel. No question that many of us are called to various places throughout our lives, but no matter where we are the overall mission is the same.
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