WALK WITH ME!  

Week Four (Jan 22-28) 

Matt 8:23-37; 9:18-26; 12; 13:1-53; Mark 12; 13:1-53; Luke 7:36-8:56

Parables:  One of the methods Jesus employed in communicating His message was through parables. A parable is basically an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. When Jesus started telling parables to the people, His disciples asked the obvious question, "Why do You speak to them in parables?" (Matthew 13:10).  Jesus answers the question as we read His parables.

Parable of the Sower Matt 13; Mark 4; Luke 8

The most common name is not the best name I believe – this is actually a parable about soils not the sower.  By keeping named the The Sower too much interest and emphasis is on the sower (who is really God as the seed is His from His hand!) rather than how God is preparing the soil.  

First, the parable of the sower in the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. It is not in John’s gospel because John did not record any parables.  Did you know that?

I try to refer to this as the Parable of the Soils but it is better known as the Parable of the Sower.  Both are accurate but I prefer the former. Jesus told this parable to illustrate what happens when a farmer sows seeds on different soil, and the results that unfold.  The enormous crowd that gathered around would have been very familiar with the concepts of sowing seed.  The farmer would have reached into a bag of seed and toss it across the ground.  Of course, all of it didn’t land on the best soil.  What do the seeds represent in the Parable of the Sower?  Luke’s version gives us the best answer as Jesus explained it this way to His disciples- “The seed is the word of God.” v11.

This parable explains what happens when people hear the gospel message.  God (the farmer) sows the seed (His Word).  It is the “soil” that it lands on that determines its growth. The deeper lesson in this parable is one about God’s Word and the responses from those who hear it.  Not everyone who hears Jesus’ words will listen or respond to it because we can have a “soil problem” in our hearts.

Jesus ends His parable with - “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”  Are we listening?

Hide it under a bushel? NO! – Mark 4; Luke 8

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!

Hide it under a bushel; No! I’m gonna let it shine!

Don't let Satan blow it out; I’m gonna let it shine!

Let it shine till Jesus comes; I’m gonna let it shine!

I can’t think of anything better than the song I used to sing as a kid – I still believe all 4 verses!

Sing it in your heart as you read the parable.  And then go out and let it shine! 

Grain of a mustard seed – Matt13; Mark 4; Luke 13

A grain of mustard seed looks totally insignificant, just one or two millimeters in diameter. Yet, when sown into good soil, these tiny seeds can grow into huge trees. Jesus used these seeds to explain God’s kingdom. The world tends to value size: The most money or resources, or the largest armies. But God’s kingdom is different. He looks at our hearts and our level of faith. It is the small things that can produce the greatest returns. Jesus taught that a widow who gave two mites gave more than anyone else (Mark 12:42-43). That those with the faith like a grain of mustard seed could speak and a tree would be plucked up and thrown into the sea (Luke 17:6). That those who planted mustards seeds could expect bountiful harvests.

Jesus is making the point here that small things matter to God. God is the God of tiny beginnings and seeming weakness. (like the manger of Bethlehem) He delights in using little people and what look like insignificant movements. But the small beginnings end in great results. God’s strength is made perfect in weakness; when we are weak, then we are strong.  What small thing can you give Him this week and let Him make it into something big for the Kingdom?

Why did Jesus use parables? “None so blind as those who will not see.” Matthew Henry

Jesus is using common illustrations to explain the complexities of Heaven by parables.  The people are listening and following – continue your walk with Him in the Harmony readings!  Then – find someone to walk with this week – share what God is doing lets walk together with Jesus – Come Walk With Me!

PARABLE OF THE SOILS (SOWER)