A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

JESUS’ EXPLANATION OF THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER     

Matthew 13:18-23 “Listen then to what the parable of the Sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”  

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ gave the Great Commission. In it He commands that as we are going about our daily life, in our travels, when visiting with friends and family, at work or wherever we are we are to sow the seed of the Gospel. (Matthew 28:18-19) Like the Sower in Jesus’ parable scattered the seed as he walked the field, so we are to spread the gospel.  

Sowing the seed of the gospel is what Jesus wants you to do. Thereafter, what happens to the seed is out of your control. You have the gospel which is given you in the Holy Scriptures. Learning it and then finding ways to communicate it is what Jesus wants you to do with it.    

Those who receive it from you will not all respond in the same way. For some it will, so to speak, go in one ear and out the other. That does not mean you stop “casting” the gospel their way. However, as you sow it, Jesus’ parable says there will be those who receive it from you who will be blessed by it. They are the ones where it produces faith in their hearts. That is the work of the Holy Spirit. Remember, the Bible says, “. . . faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” (Romans 10:17) You are the Sower!   

Prayer: Lord, encourage me and strengthen me for the “sowing” you want me to do. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

On what has now been sown Thy blessing Lord, bestow;  
The pow’r is Thine alone To make it sprout and grow.  
Do Thou in grace the harvest raise, And Thou alone shalt have the praise.  

To Thee our wants are known, From Thee are all our pow’rs;  
Accept what is Thine own And pardon what is ours,  
Our praises, Lord, and prayers receive, And to Thy word a blessing give. 

O grant that each of us, Now met before Thee here,  
May meet together thus When Thou and Thine appear  
And follow Thee to heav’n, our home, E’en so, amen, Lord Jesus, come!  

On What Has Now Been Sown // LSB 921