The Sower went Forth (Easter)
The Parables of Jesus • Sermon • Submitted
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Scripture Reading
Scripture Reading
On the same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea. And great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.
Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
“Therefore hear the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”
Mat 13:
Jesus again before Pilate
Jesus again before Pilate
Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them.
Jesus is standing once again before Pilate.
It is Friday, the last day of Jesus earthly life.
The cross is his destination and his destiny.
And that destiny will meet reality in just a few hours.
Jesus knows all that will happen to Him.
And He has willingly surrendered to His Father’s will.
The cup has not be taken from Him.
He will drink all of it for us.
The First Meeting with Pilate
The First Meeting with Pilate
Jesus recalls his first meeting with Pilot, just a few hours ago.
No large crowds.
Just Jesus and Pilate in the Pretorium.
With His accusers outside, as it was “unclean” for them to enter such a place before Passover”.
What Hypocrites!
Record of the Meeting
Record of the Meeting
John record of that first meeting is the most complete.
It starts with a question from Pilate to Jesus,
“Are you the King of the Jews?”
What follows is the Sower sowing his seed, even at the very sunset of his Life.
(Slide)
Jesus answered him, “Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?”
Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?”
Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”
Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?”
Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”
Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no fault in Him at all.”
Jesus answered him, “Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?”
Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?”
Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”
Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?”
Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”
John 1
What is Truth
What is Truth
As Jesus stands before Pilate for the second and last time, he remembers Pilate final response to his words.
What is Truth? What is Truth?
The Sower went forth,
(Slide)
And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them.
Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them.
Matt 13:
(Slide)
When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.
And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them.
Jesus words had fallen by the wayside.
Jesus words have had no affect on Pilate.
Pilate’s response was utter indifference.
What is Truth?
Like so many today when hearing the words of Jesus.
What is Truth?
Indifference and Rejection.
And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them.
How utterly sad!
The Multitudes cry “Let Him be Crucified”
The Multitudes cry “Let Him be Crucified”
But now Pilot asks a different question.
Not to Jesus, but to the multitudes before Him.
(Slide)
Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?”
Hosanna to the Son of David
Hosanna to the Son of David
Jesus is there with Barabbas, before this great crowd.
Jesus recalls the scenes from just a few days ago.
The multitude all shouted for Him then.
(Slide)
Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Hosanna in the highest!” And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?” So the multitudes said, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.”
Crucify Him
Crucify Him
But now, no more cries of blessing. , they curse Him.
(Slide)
Then the governor said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!”
Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said to him, “Let Him be crucified!” Then the governor said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!”
They shouted and cried out, but this time for his crucification.
The Sower went forth but,
(Slide)
Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away.
(Slide)
But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.
As one writer puts it, “Germination was rapid, but so was withering.”
In the space of a few days it went from cries of Blessing and Praise to cries of Crucify Him.
How utterly sad!
Betrayed
Betrayed
Jesus’ fate was sealed.
Pilate would do the most politically expedient for his career.
The multitude would run too and fro to whatever was the next big thing, there was no real conviction.
Jesus’ fate was sealed.
He was alone. He accepted it. He embraced it. It is why He had come into the world.
He knew it. He accepted it. He embraced it. It is why He had come into the world.
He accepted it.
Judas
Judas
He embraced it.
It is why He had come into the world.
As the crowd cried out in betrayal for his blood and death, Jesus recalled another betrayal that reached its height in the Garden only last night.
And the ultimate betrayal started in the Garden.
Judas had spent nearly three years with Jesus.
He listened to Jesus day after day, night after night.
He listened to Jesus day after day, night after night.
He traveled with Jesus, through all the highs and the lows of minsitry.
He witnessed miracle after miracle.
He had even performed miracles when Jesus sent them out 2 by 2.
He witnessed miracle after miracle.
He shared in all the food and drink.
He was the treasurer of the group..
And yet Judas betrayed Jesus.
The Garden
The Garden
And yet Judas betrayed Jesus.
He had all the appearance of a disciple but he was not.
On that infamous night in the garden.
Not just any garden, a garden of relaxation, a garden of fellowship, an intimate place, a beautiful place, a garden with so many memories.
And the hour of betrayal had come.
(Slide)
And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him.” Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. But Jesus said to him, “Friend, why have you come?” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him.
I have been there.
We witness Judas, the lost one, as the guide, of that infamous group.
The
They light their way with flaming torches, whilst seeking out He who is the light of the world.
They come with weapons to Him who is the Prince of Peace.
Judas stands with them, and not with Christ.
For The cares of this world, the pleasures of this world and the deceitfulness of riches can choke out the Lord from your life.
A person can have a form of religion, and yet be a terrible hypocrite.
The reality inside something else.
And often such a person knows that are not a genuine follower of Jesus but for some reason will keep up the pretence of it all.
And finally Judas seals his betrayal with a kiss.
How sad.
Oh to God that none here be such.
The Sower went forth,
(Slide)
And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them.
(Slide)
Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.
For The cares of this world, the pleasures of this world and the deceitfulness of riches can choke the Lord from a life.
A person can have a form of religion, and yet be a terrible hypocrite.
The reality inside is something else.
Often such a person knows they are not a genuine follower of Jesus but for some reason will keep up the pretence of it all.
How sad.
Oh to God that none here be found such.
As Jesus stands there in front of the crowd condemned to death, Judas is taking is own life.
The Good Ground
The Good Ground
Pilate finally hands Jesus over to be flogged, mocked and crucified.
Even at such a time, Jesus is thinking of his mother, family and disciples.
Jesus will ensure his mother is looked after.
Whilst on the cross He places her into the hands of the Beloved Disciple.
And what about the other disciples?
Jesus thWhat about Peter?
Jesus recalls the previous night.
(Slide)
Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter answered and said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.” Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And so said all the disciples.
And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” But he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.” Then He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.”
They all fled in the Garden.
They all fled in the Garden.
Peter had tried to help.
They had all fled.
Cutting off an ear. Did he miss? A fisherman with a sword.
And then Peter fled.
But he also followed, as a distance.
Jesus recalls the look in Peter eyes after he denied him three times.
Pain, sorrow and deep repentance.
He went out and wept.
The Sower went forth,
(Slide)
But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
(Slide)
But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”
You see Peter returned.
Peter strengthened his fellow believers.
Peter strengthened the church.
Out of Peter’s brokenness, Peter bore much fruit.
Peter was not perfect, but the will and heart were for the Lord.
Bearing Fruit is all about the will and the heart for the Lord, more so than cognitive understanding.
(Slide)
Which Ground are You?
Which Ground are You?
I end with a very simple question.
Which ground are you?
The Sower is the same.
The Seed is the same.
But the Ground differs.
I end with a simple question,
Which ground are you?
Or maybe the better question is
Which Ground do you want to be?
Know not, teach us
Have not, give us
Are not, make us
For your sons sake.
Because it is all a matter of the heart and will for the Lord.
And it is only God that can make that good ground in us!
Jesus stands waiting for us to come to Him.
Lord,
Lord, What we know not, teach us
What we have not, give us
What we are not, make us
For your sons sake.