The Parable of the Sower
Matthew 13:1-53
The secrets of the kingdom of heaven (13:10-17)
We do have the benefit of two thousand years of commentary, but for the most part, neither Jesus’ use of the parables nor any parable itself seems unusual to us. The disciples must have found them unusual, though, as there seems to be some anxiety in their question. There is something perplexing about Jesus’ response, however, as he seems to say that the parables were designed for confusion – to keep the secretes of the kingdom. In Matthew, the message is that these things are the way they are because it is the Father’s pleasure that they be so (Matthew 11:25-26).
The Father’s mercy is offered to all who call on him. It is not earned, and not available by any transaction (Joel 2:11-14). Those of us who have chosen to accept have been chosen to live and appointed to serve (John 15:16). As the availability of grace does not conform to our idea of logic, neither does the measure of grace conform to our sense of fair play (Luke 19:22-27; 8:16-18). But such is the prize that we would well give up every achievement, and even the very idea of achievement (Matthew 13:44-46; 10:38-39).
The parable of the sower (13:3-9)
Together with its explanation (13:18-23) this parable is one of the most well-known passages of the New Testament. Unlike many of the parables which have only one, central meaning, this parable is an allegory which has meaning at many levels. At one level, it tells us each about ourselves as individuals. Within each of us is fertile ground, eager to receive the word of God, and also ground choked with the things of this life (Romans 7:18-25). On another level, it tells of the nature of the kingdom of God, where there is good and there is evil, and where many are called, but few are chosen (Matthew 22:9-14 KJV). Finally, it tells us of the sower, who sows his word in the bad soil and the good, who causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and who calls us to love our enemies and our friends (Matthew 5:44-46).
The parable of the weeds (13:24-29, 36-43)
The parable of the weeds is related in many ways to the parable of the sower. To begin with, it continues the succession of images in which Jesus pictures the people of this world as a harvest: as something of value to be defended and nurtured (Matthew 9:35-38). And in this parable, the harvest itself is used to explain the existence of evil in this world. All time is laid open to the Eternal Father, but in this world, the future holds the key to understanding the present. It is in the hope of tomorrow that the Father shows patience today (2 Peter 3:13-15). This patience is to our great benefit, and what the Lord gives graciously to us he will not have us deny from others (Romans 2:1-5; James 1:20)
