The writings of Matthew, Mark, and Luke are called the synoptic gospels. Scholars use this term because, while they approach the life and work of Jesus differently, some of the work is quite similar. One element each has is the parabolic teaching by Jesus. Luke contains the greatest number of parables, but all three authors note this work. Parables were common stories used throughout the region. They were used to make a point with regard to culture and custom, especially with regard to normative behavior. What Jesus did was apply the stories to a life in faith. The parable of the good Samaritan, and the parable of the Lost Son also known as the Prodigal Son are found only in the work of Luke. The parable of the Sower is in all three gospels.
In the parable of the sower, Jesus uses common life experience to illustrate how people respond to the Word of God. “Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Others seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain...” verses 3b-7. Jesus closes the parable in verse nine with the admonition, ‘Let anyone with ears listen!’ In verse eighteen through twenty-three Jesus amplifies the teaching by sharing how those who either did not hear, respond, or in some manner were inhibited from doing so, met devastating results in their spiritual lives. Likewise those who heard and responded blossomed spiritually.
Pat Alger and Ralph Murphy wrote a modern parabolic interpretation of this message titled “Seeds.” It was a very popular recording. The second verse is the teaching narrative. ‘I saw a friend the other day I hardly recognized; he’d done a lot of living since I last looked in his eyes. And he told his tale of how he’d failed and the lessons he’d been taught. But he offered no excuses, and he left me with this thought:’ (chorus) “We’re all just seeds, in God’s hands–We start the same, but where we land–is sometimes fertile soil and sometimes sand. We’re all just seeds in God’s hands.” In the Bible, in life, we are each and every day invited to do at least two things well. Listen and grow.
