"So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading." —Neh. 8:8
LESSON X.—SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1894.
CHRIST TEACHING BY PARABLES.
[NOTE.—The questions which follow are merely suggestive for the student on the leading points of the lesson; it is presumed that the thorough student will think of many more as he studies the subject. References, where verses alone are given, always refer to the lesson scripture printed above. All other references are given in book, chapter, and verse. The text printed is that of the Revised Version, not because it is especially preferred, but because it is not found in every family, as it is the common version.]
4. AND when a great multitude came together, and they of every city resorted unto Him, He spake by a parable.
5. The sower went forth to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trodden underfoot, and the birds of the heaven devoured it.
6. And other fell on the rock; and as soon as it grew, it withered away, because it had no moisture.
7. And other fell amidst the thorns; and the thorns grew with it, and choked it.
8. And other fell into the good ground, and grew, and brought forth fruit a hundred-fold. As He said these things, He cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
9. And his disciples asked Him what this parable might be. And He said,
10. Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God; but to the rest in parables, that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.
11. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
12. And those by the wayside are they that have heard; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word from their heart, that they may not believe and be saved.
13. And those on the rock are they which, when they have heard, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
14. And that which fell among the thorns, these are they that have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
15. And that in the good ground, these are such as in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it fast, and bring forth fruit with patience.
Golden Text: "The seed is the word of God." Luke 8:11.
NOTE.—Previous to this our Saviour seems to have taught by simple declaration, as in the sermon on the mount; but here he begins to enforce in a still stronger way, by the use of parables, the truths of his kingdom. In this connection we have a group of eight parables, seven of which are found in Matthew and one other in Mark, concerning the kingdom of heaven in various aspects. The place was on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, near Capernaum. Parallel accounts are found in Matthew 13 and Mark 4.
By what manner of teaching did Jesus speak at one time to a great multitude? Verse 4.
Relate the parable. See verses 5 to 8.
After he had spoken the parable, what admonition did he give? Verse 8, last part.
What did his disciples ask him? Verse 9.
What did he say God had given to them? Verse 10, first part.
Why did he give instruction to others in parables? Note 1.
After explaining the parable, what did he say the seed represented? Verse 11. Note 2.
What did he say that the seed sown by the wayside represented?
What did that seed represent which fell upon the rock?
What was represented by that which fell among thorns?
What class is represented by the good ground? Note 3.
NOTES.
1. JESUS declares that to his disciples it was given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God. The secret of this is shown in Ps. 25:9: "The meek will he guide in judgment; and the meek will He teach his way;" and again, in the fourteenth verse: "The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will show them his covenant to make them know it [margin]." The disciples of Christ were among the meek ones, those who were humble enough in heart to be willing to be taught. While, on the other hand, to the proud Pharisees and scribes the truth of God was presented in such a way as to lead them, if they were desirous of so doing, to seek farther; but if they were determined not to know, they could have the privilege of turning from the teaching. God compels no one. There was another reason why he taught in parables, and that was that he could press home upon them truths which could not in safety be spoken in direct discourse. Many of the parables of Jesus directly condemned the Jewish nation, and they realized that this was so, and yet the way in which the condemnation came furnished no means by which they could arrest him or stop his work. Herein was his wisdom.
2. THE word of God is fitly represented by the seed. The good seed has life in itself, and that is the case with God's word. Jesus said, "The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." John 6:63. In Heb. 4:12 God's word is called quick, or living, and powerful. In fact, the life of God is in the word of God, and that heart which truly receives God's word truly receives life.
3. In this parable the Lord sets before us the various classes of mankind. There are some who care nothing for the word, represented by the seed sown by the wayside which the fowls caught away. They simply hear the sound of the gospel, and before the seed has had time to take root, the devil catches it away, or crowds it out by the temptations which he brings into the heart. Those on the rock are those who hear with joy. They are charmed with the beauty of the word, and they want the salvation which is promised therein; but they are not willing to endure the trials that they may win the crown. The most enthusiastic converts are generally the least stable. The third class represents those who endure longer. It is only by a long process of temptation, and the pleasures and cares and perplexities of this life, that the love of God is crushed out of their heart. They bring forth some fruit, but they bring forth no fruit to perfection. This represents a large class of Christians; but all might be among that class which receive the seed into good ground. The Lord says by Hosea, his prophet: "Judah shall plow, and Jacob shall break his clods. Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and reign righteousness upon you." Note one thing further, that it is not human tradition, but God's word alone, which is the seed.