Click Here - Matthew 13:1-9,18-23.
This week we are looking at Matthew 13 and some of the parables of Jesus. One of the keys of interpreting parables is to remember the historical and literary context of the passage. In other words, don’t try to place the parable in today’s time, consider the farming methods then (sower scattering the seeds by hand, not the fancy seed drills of today which places the seeds exactly where the farmer wants them). Also consider what has been happening in the text of Matthew. Last chapter focused on the rejection of Jesus by the Pharisees. That can also help us understand this passage better.
Actually, this one is easy to understand – Jesus gives us the meaning in verses 18-23. In this passage Jesus is addressing the question that must have been in the minds of the disciples, “why do some believe and others don’t?” The Pharisees are like the seed fallen on the path, the crowds are much like the seed on the rocky soil and the thorny soil, and the disciples are like the good soil.
This also serves as a good reminder to us to continually examine our hearts. What type of soil is your heart currently in? What do you need to do to be moved to the productive soil (or to stay productive)?