Originally posted: 04/12/2019

And He spoke many things to them in parables… (13:3).

Consider Him Who Spoke in Parables

From Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Parable 3850. παραβολή parabolḗ; a short story under which something else is figured or in which the fictitious is used to represent and illustrate the real.

“He who has ears, let him hear.” ¹⁰ And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?’“¹¹ Jesus answered them, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted. ¹² For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him. ¹³ Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand…
¹⁶ But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. ¹⁷ For truly I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it,” (13:9-13, 16-17).

To the crowds, Jesus used “the fictitious to explain the real,” but when His disciples came to Him, He was always real, answering their questions and explaining His parables. To those who have “ears to hear,” those with receptive hearts of faith, He promised abundant understanding.

How do we respond to Him Who Spoke in Parables?

There is a blessing promised to all who hear His Words and receive them by faith. The main truth taught in the parable of the Sower and the Seed is although many will hear the message of the gospel, not all will respond in faith.

For the believer, there is also more we can glean from this parable. “He who has ears, let him hear,” (Matthew 13:9).

• “When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road,” (13:19).
  • When we lack understanding, let us ask Him to strengthen our faith so that our hearts do not become dull, allowing His Word to be snatched away.
    • So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ, (Romans 10:17).

• “The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; ²¹ yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away,” (13:20-21).
  • When we are besieged by affliction or persecution, let us ask Him to firmly root us in His Truth, trusting He is working for our good.
    • And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose, (Romans 8:28).

• “And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful,” (13:22).
  • When we are tempted with concerns of worry or want, let us be intentional in removing the thorns, strengthening our ability to find our contentment in Him.
    • Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. ¹² I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. ¹³ I can do all things through Him who strengthens me, (Philippians 4:11-13).

• “And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty,” (Matthew 13:23).
  • Let us come to Him in faith and thanksgiving; for He is faithful to do whatever it takes to cultivate the good soil, that we may truly have spiritual ears to hear, hearts to understand and lives that bear much fruit.
    • Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, ⁷ having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude, (Colossians 2:6-7).
      

“But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. ¹⁷ For truly I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it,” (13:16-17).

May we never take for granted the gift He has given us, spiritual eyes to see and ears to hear… such an immense and glorious privilege to live under the grace of His New Covenant!

Oh Lord, please use our lives; that the inexplicable favor and blessings we have received would bear much fruit, spreading to more and more people to bring You glory!

…that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God, (2 Corinthians 4:15).

Let’s Grow Together!