Beacon Hill Church

A PARABLE is defined as: “A way to convey truth concerning deep matters by means of an analogy or comparison drawn from common places, experience or things.”

· Jesus often used parables as a teaching tool to communicate deeper spiritual truths.

· The genius of Jesus’ parables lay in his ability to transform the ordinary things of everyday life into vehicles of truth.


Parable of the Soils: The main theme is the receptivity of the soil to the seed that is sown.


In this parable Jesus used the example of a farmer sowing seed, a common sight in that agricultural society. This parable communicates something important about the nature of the Kingdom of God and its rejection by people as well as its acceptance by others.


What is the meaning of this parable? Jesus told the parable to the multitude who listened to him by the shore, but he only explained the meaning of the parable to his disciples in a private setting (vv. 18-23).

WHY DID JESUS USE PARABLES TO TALK TO THE PEOPLE?

That’s what the disciples asked in verse 10.

WHAT IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN?
When Jesus spoke of the "kingdom of heaven" he wasn't referring to a physical place in the afterlife, but rather a spiritual reality of God's reign and power on earth today – a reign and power that transforms lives and relationships.


Those who heard and believed Jesus’ message, such as the disciples, had already learned a bit about God and His Kingdom. Because of that, they were given a greater revelation of the Kingdom of Heaven. Their faith opened the door to more of God’s revelation and His grace.

But for those who had knowingly rejected Jesus as the Messiah, they weren’t given more understanding. In fact, Jesus began teaching in parables partly so that they wouldn’t understand. ·


It’s a serious thing to hear God’s truth, the call to repent and follow Jesus and then choose to reject it.

That kind of disbelief doesn’t stay neutral—it leads people further away from God until they can’t even see the danger they’re in – their heart becomes so hardened and their conscious so seared that they are unaware of God’s presence and are unable to respond to His call.

On the other hand, those who listen God’s word with open, trusting hearts will keep growing in understanding and responsiveness to God’s Spirit.

In Jesus explanation of the seed that fell on hard ground or the “foot path” in verse 19 He said: The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts. ·

Understanding is the key word here as in verse 19·
Understanding implies receptivity·


One cannot receive the truth of the Gospel message unless one believes in the ONE WHO SENT IT.

The understanding referred to in scripture is not cognitive or empirical knowledge.

It is an understanding that is acquired by faith


Matthew 13:11-13 He replied, “You’ve been given insight into God’s kingdom. You know how it works. Not everybody has this gift, this insight; it hasn’t been given to them. Whenever someone has a ready heart for this, the insights and understandings flow freely. But if there is no readiness, any trace of receptivity soon disappears. That’s why I tell stories: to create readiness, to nudge the people toward receptive insight. In their present state they can stare till doomsday and not see it, listen till they’re blue in the face and not get it. (The Message)


One of the most sobering aspects of rejecting God's truth is that over time, people can become blind to their own disbelief.

· There are a lot of people who claim to be Christians but they don’t know God in the sense that they have taken the step of faith and believed in God and Jesus His Son.

· They haven’t repented of their sins and asked Jesus to come into their hearts and surrendered their lives to Jesus. They haven’t made God a priority in their lives

But here’s the good news: God graciously reveals truth to those who seek Him with humility.


If we come to Him with open hearts, He not only shows us what's real—He receives us as His children and helps us walk out our salvation.