In the book of Matthew, a great deal of emphasis is put on the “Kingdom.” As we read through the book, we can quickly see that this kingdom is not the kind some thought it would be. Many expected the Messiah to usher in a physical kingdom brought about with might and power. It was assumed that this Messiah would free the people from their bondage and bring about an era of peace. This was true… mostly. The Messiah would come and bring freedom, but not in the way people expected. The qualities required to belong in the kingdom (Matthew 5-7) went against the things practiced by the Pharisees and leading Jews. In Matthew 13, Jesus teaches a series of parables about the kingdom. These stories provide significant spiritual insight into what God’s kingdom looks like, while providing physical illustrations everyone could recognize. Jesus shows that many do not understand what the kingdom is all about. To truly understand God’s kingdom, its purpose, message, and the characteristics needed to be a part of it, one must have the heart to understand. Matthew 13 is all about understanding.
Fast-forward to today… and many people have a similar issue. The message of the kingdom is still hard to comprehend because it is built on spiritual principles that cannot be seen with our eyes. It can be difficult to accept because it often requires significant change in the lives of kingdom citizens. Jesus goes on to tell a helpful story about a sower in Matthew 13:3-9, with the explanation given in verses 18-23. The reason this parable is so significant is that it describes the exact people we are talking about: people responding to the kingdom message. This parable shows that the kingdom elicits very different responses from different hearts. These responses from the story of the sower reflect the same kinds of responses we see from those who encounter the gospel message today.
First, the seed (the kingdom message) was sown beside the road, quickly snatched up by the birds of the air. Often, when the kingdom message is proclaimed, the hearers do not understand it, allowing the evil one to snatch it away. Remember the key theme of the chapter: who is going to understand the message?
The seed that fell on the rocky places represents many of us who hear the gospel and receive it gladly. It is easy to be excited about the message at first, only to have the troubles and persecutions of the world cause our faith to wither. This shows us the need to be rooted in the Lord and in His word. Otherwise, we will not last the storms of life.
The next seed was sown upon thorns, which choked out the nutrients of the word and gave it no chance of survival. These thorns allude to the deception of wealth and the distraction of worry that draw our minds away from the kingdom, causing us to focus on the world. As Jesus said, “You cannot serve God and wealth,” (Matthew 6:24).
The last soil was the only soil in which the seed could thrive. This soil received the word and “understands.” That is the key. The only way to truly be a part of the kingdom is to understand its message fully. To understand, we must have a willing heart. While we will never understand every word or concept in the Bible to the fullest, we must understand what the kingdom is all about.
Often, we look at this parable as a way the people of the world respond to the gospel message. While this is an appropriate application, an important question to ask ourselves is “Which soil am I?” While I am not a Pharisee, sometimes I subtly desire to change the kingdom message to fit what I want. Anytime I do this, I am not heeding the message of the kingdom, but my own. The kingdom is here, and Jesus has provided a way for us all to be a part of it. When we are presented with the opportunity to listen and change, how do we respond? Am I understanding? Am I rooted in God? Am I focused on God? Which soil am I?
—Joshua Brown