Simple everyday things—a farmer sowing seed in his field—those were the things Jesus used in his parables. They are simple stories at first glance, but sometimes they conceal as much as they reveal.
The parable conceals truth! Jesus tells what seems to be a simple, straightforward story. A farmer goes out to plant. He apparently broadcasts the seed. Some seed perishes, eaten by birds on the beaten path, sprouting in a thin layer of soil over rock, or choked out by weeds. But some seed flourishes on good ground. What is a parable? It is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning, but also a lot more. It hardens in unbelief, as we will see in a moment. It can conceal truth from unbelievers. A parable can be profoundly simple, communicating far more than simple statements. A parable usually is a story that requires some kind of response from the hearer.
“What are parables and why did Jesus use them? We sometimes say that are ‘earthly stories with a heavenly meaning,’ but that is only partially true. For the parables are more than pleasant stories or Christian versions of Aesop’s fables. They reflect the principles of the kingdom of God, and consequently serve as mirrors of our own lives. They force us to ask the question, ‘Where do I stand in relation to the kingdom of God?’ They show us our own hearts in the light of God’s word…. In effect the parables were the word of God in seed form, planted in men’s lives through Jesus’ preaching. Those seeds could lodge in men’s hearts and bear fruit.”
(Sinclair Ferguson, Let’s Study Mark, p. 52
It may surprise us, but, the parable hardens unbelief. The disciples seem to be puzzled by the parable and ask Jesus about it, verse 10. The secret, or mystery, of the kingdom is given to the disciples and those like them who are part of the kingdom. But it is concealed from those who are outside. Jesus quotes Isaiah 6:9–10. Isaiah sees the majesty of the Lord’s holiness and responds to the Lord’s question with a willingness to go and speak. But his message from this majestic, holy God, will, to a large degree, fall on deaf ears. In fact, he is called to a preaching ministry that hardens many of the people of Israel (including the movers and shakers) in unbelief. Similarly the message of Jesus both conceals the truth of the kingdom from and adds to the condemnation of those who reject the presence of the King. And leading the rejection is the religious establishment. The parable of the sower adds to the condemnation of unbelieving Israel–and to all who reject the kingdom that comes, not with trumpet flourish and conquering armies, but by the King being rejected by men, suffering, dying on the cross, and rising again.
“The mystery of the parable does not lie in its obscurity or complexity, but in its very simplicity…. Jesus certainly does not want to draw our attention exclusively to the hidden manifestations of the kingdom threatened and handicapped by all kinds of powers; he also points out its miraculous operations and fruits. The latter may be hidden even from the disciples, but they are sure to come — in overwhelming abundance!”
Herman Ridderbos, The Coming of the Kingdom, pages 130, 132
Jesus explains, the mystery of the kingdom has been given to you. Jesus explains so that you understand the parable. The mystery or secrets of the kingdom have been given to you, the people of God. It is not that there are no questions left, but you do understand who Christ is and what he came to do. Parables tend to have a central, basic point, with details there because of the structure of the story. Beware of allegorizing or reading in. This parable has more significant details than many of them. Jesus explains the parable. What the farmer sows is the word. (That is precisely what Jesus is doing as he tells this parable.) It falls on hearts which have varying degrees of receptivity. This parable and its explanation are key, verse 13. Jesus is giving you what you need to understand other parables as well.
As you hear, respond to the challenge of the parable. The kingdom is present as the word is sown. It is not only the seed that meets various ends, there are also varied responses to the word proclaimed by the Savior and by the church he established. The kingdom is established, not by might or power, but by the mysterious ways God has ordained. God continues to build his kingdom by the word preached and confirmed by the word visible in the sacraments. The kingdom is both present and future. It is truly present as the word is sown, but it looks forward to the harvest, verses 20, 26–29. And it continues to be both present and future in your life. Keep the confidence of the harvest in view. It is not that 3/4 of the seed perishes. Rather, the focus is on the multiplication involved in the abundant harvest. Don’t get lost in speculating about how the word is received by others. Rather, focus on what that word is doing in your life. Ask yourself what impact the word ought to have. Rid yourself of the rocks and weeds which hinder the growth of the kingdom in your life.
Hear, really hear, the parable of the sower!