While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: 5 “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. 6 Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants.8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.” When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” Luke 8.4-8
Jesus taught this parable to a large crowd without explanation. I imagine some may have sensed where He was headed, but to the initial crowd, He offered none. He simply described a farmer sowing seed with varied results. In truth, He wasn’t telling them anything strikingly new—just an observable reality. The deeper explanation came later, and only to the disciples, His closest followers.
Why would Jesus share the parable but withhold its meaning from the people? It speaks volumes about our need for teachers and preachers of the Word—people who explain, teach, and disciple others. Working at Truett Seminary reminds me daily that we need expert instructors to form our ministers, who in turn are called to teach and nurture the people.
These instructors (and truly all believers) are sowers, as Jesus describes. As He later explains, not all seeds take root. The seed itself is powerful and consistent; what matters most is the soil. All human souls have the potential to receive and love God, yet the condition of the heart—its openness (or resistance) to the Word—determines whether fruit grows.
This truth applies even to ministries and churches: some flourish, others struggle or fade. The receptivity of the “soil” plays a key role.
Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and gospel ministers (all of us believers) scatter seed liberally and broadly. The outcome—the fruit—belongs to God, though it often hinges on the heart’s response.
The good news? Faithful Christians will keep scattering seed. This is our calling: to preach the gospel, and yes—to use words! To proclaim God’s saving love to the world. This is what I do for a living: create opportunities for seeds to be scattered.
Have you heard God’s Word and received it? Have you begun to scatter seed yourself? Today is the day of salvation. The Lord has a plan to redeem humanity—let that plan include you!
“O Lord God, You are good and faithful; Your lovingkindness has no end. You give life to all people and desire that life to continue into eternity. Come now, Holy Spirit, help us receive Your love and grace. For those who have not yet answered Your call and said yes—enable them to do so today. For You are good, and Your love endures forever.” Amen.