Parable of the Sower – The Thorny Soil
The third type of soil that the seed lands on is soil that is filled with thorns, Jesus said it like this; Matthew 13v7: “…Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them…” and then Jesus explains what it mean; Matthew13v22: “…As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful…” So what is Jesus teaching us here, let’s dig down and see.
This seed landed on soil that already had other seed in it, thorn seeds. As the good seed began to grow up, the thorns just took over, they used all the nutrients, they absorbed all the sunlight, and slowly the good seed began to whither and die. In this parable the thorns represent the things that the world offers us, money, status, fames, etc, etc. What happens to this plant can so easily happen to any one of us, whether we are rich or poor, satan loves to tempt us with the things of this world, to try and slowly draw us away from our relationship with Jesus. This is possibly one of the most difficult soils for us to see within ourselves, so lets ask; “In what way am I like this soil?”
Why is this so difficult for us to see happen to us? Primarily because it is something that happens slowly, and the way in which it happens. There is nothing wrong with having things in and of themselves, it isn’t sinful to be wealthy, fame isn’t evil, but it is our attitude towards these things that draw us away from Jesus. The seed in the thorny soil is perhaps best illustrated by Jesus talking with the rich young ruler, check out Luke 18v18→23. This guy had it made, he was wealthy, he had status, he was famous, and he was religious; but he valued his wealth above his relationship with God, and at the end of the discussion he walked away sad.
What do you value the most, do you love Jesus more than you love your money, do you love Jesus more than you love your stuff, do you love Jesus more than anything else? The chances are that you said yes to this; then here is the question: What do you think about the most? Do you think more about other things than you do about Jesus? The Bible tells us that where our treasure is there our heart will be also. Are you the seed among the thorns; if Jesus asked you to give up all your stuff and follow Him, would you do it, or would you walk away sad?
