Sowing The Spiritual Seed

A couple of Sundays ago we discussed the parable of the sower at church. I've read the parable before, but I saw it from a completely different light and have been meditating on it's meaning. The parable can be found in Mark 4 of your Bible, but Jesus is speaking about sowing seeds on all kinds of soil.

"A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow, but when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants so that they did not bear grain. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew, and produced a crop, multiplying thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times." - Mark 4:3-8

I am used to reading everything literally, but I am learning to process and understand the underlying meaning in these parables. Jesus isn't trying to give us a lesson in farming. He is telling us how to witness to others about our faith. I think it's hard as a Christian to tell others what we believe, because there is always a fear that we will be met with rejection or indifference. Jesus tells us in this parable that it won't always be rainbows and roses when we go out and spread the good news. Some people will receive the word, but as soon as they experience the trials and tribulations of this world, they will turn from it. Some will be immediately suffocated by the hatred and deceitfulness of the world. Some will flat out reject it. This reality can get discouraging, but there are some that will receive the word and let it transform their lives forever. I don't know about yall, but this is encouraging to me. Even if 1 out of every 10 people we speak to actually hear and receive the word, it's still one more person that is saved!

I saw this parable from a new perspective, and I find it completely freeing. Jesus wants us to witness to all people, but He doesn't expect us to make sure all these people become Christians and follow Him. He simply wants us to plant the seed, and He will take care of the rest. If you look at it that way, we really can't fail. Jesus simply wants us to plant the seed and then watch Him perform miracles. When given the chance, it is our job to speak about our faith and live out a Christ-like image to the best of our ability. We sow the seed, God grows the seed.

Don't put so much pressure on yourself when you witness to others. Know that it is your job to plant the seed in people's hearts, and watch God grow it into something beautiful and lasting.

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." - Matthew 28:19-20