A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold . . . He that has ears to hear, let him hear. (Luke 8:5-8)
The Purpose of the Parables
According to Jesus
And his disciples asked Him (Jesus), saying, What might this parable be?
Now the parable is this: The seed is the Word of God.
Those by the way side are they that hear; then comes the devil, and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
They on the rock (or stone) are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
(Luke 8:11-15)
Further expositions
The way side
The way side, these are those exposed to all things of the world, but none of God. Therefore, they are hardened, unprepared and exposed to the fowls of the air, a representation of the devil. (the prince of the power of the air)
The stony ground
Stony ground represents those who accept the faith, but partially give themselves to the cause of the faith, thereby in their lives are still old stones from their past, or stones they won’t relinquish, of which renders a hindrance to the seed, causing its roots to be hindered. Without a root, there isn’t nourishment, without which there aren’t fruits – the evidence of a lack of a faithful Christian life.
The thorny ground
Those of a thorny ground, represents those who straddle the faith. Saints on Sunday and a heathen on week days. Give thanks to God with the lips, but from the same lips the sky is made blue through profanity, and the likes.
The good ground
Lastly, the good ground, is the model of that which is right. It is soft, it is ready and prepared to receive the seed, which is the Word of God, (the Gospel).
Observe, the three other platforms mentioned, they all have one thing in common with the good ground, they are all grounds. Some surfaces are hard, others are stony, while the other is filled with thorns. However, beneath all that is a ground, willing to be prepared.
Conclusion
We all had or have a stone, a thorn in our lives, or are exposed, However:
Let this be a hope to those who acknowledge that they are not a good ground, but with a willing heart, the hard surface shall be removed, the stones of the past shall be taken away, and the thorns shall be pulled out, and the good ground shall stay. Then the seed, which is the Word, shall bring forth fruits.
And he (the believer) shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he does shall prosper.
(Psalms 1:3)
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🎨PSW·3✒©