A Sower Went out to Sow - Part 2

A Sower Went out to Sow

-They on the Rock-

“And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable: 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. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

Luke 8:4-8

Jesus often taught in parables (as in the verses above). A parable is simply an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. It is a powerful teaching tool because it uses something that is already understand to help us easily understand something similar but not yet understood. This particular parable deals with very foundational issues (God’s word and man’s heart) and is therefore very important. Let’s look at the verses that follow the verses above:

“And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.”

Luke 8:9-10

Jesus’ disciples were eager to know what this parable meant. I hope that you are just as eager today. Jesus explains the parable in the following verses:

“Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. They on the rock 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

The seed is God’s word. It is a “constant” in this parable (it doesn’t change). What varies in this parable is the place upon which the seed is sown and the result of the seed being sown there. The four different places represent four different kinds of people – and the condition of their hearts. All of them hear the word of God. Today we take a look at the second group….

“They on the rock”

This group of people goes one step further than the last group. There is belief and joy. Yet the plant withers and dies. How can this be?

There is a form of belief that does not save. The following is an example of a belief on Jesus that was not a saving belief. It was not a trust in Jesus as Savior:

Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

John 2:23-25

There is a “joy” that does not come from God:

Knowest thou not this of old, since man was placed upon earth, That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?

Job 20:4-5

There is a lack of moisture:

We could look at moisture as representing grace. Grace comes from heaven (as rain does). And just like rain, it is free and refreshing. Moisture allows a plant to thrive despite external heat. Grace allows a child of God to endure all of the external afflictions of this world. It is impossible to receive God’s salvation by any means other than grace. Religious ordinances or works will not do.

There is no root:

This heart is shallow. God’s word cannot root itself here. Without a root there is no hope for the plant.

The word is received with joy, but not a joy that comes from God.

The word is believed, but not with a saving belief.

Grace is rejected - No root can grow - The plant dies.

Don’t be part of the group on a hard, dry rock. Believe on Jesus Christ as Savior. Receive his grace. Allow God’s word to take root in your heart.