Sir Godfrey Gregg D.Div
Hear ye, therefore, the parable of the sower.
19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the wayside. —Matthew 13:18-19.
In the parable of the sower, our Lord strikingly presents the method and results of the ministry of truth in his divine kingdom. The seed is sown broadcast. The field, with its diversified conditions of soil, represents human hearts. Some hearts are hard, like the beaten track which can yield no fruit. They are not receptive to the truth. In their case, the seed simply lies on the surface. Dew, rain, and sun are of no use to it. Moreover, it is not allowed to remain. “The birds came and devoured it.” In other words, “Satan comes and snatches away that which has been sown in the heart.” Want of interest, inattention, and speedy forgetfulness characterize a large mass of the hearers of the gospel, hence the disastrous failure that is here depicted.
But even the hardened wayside was once soft loam. Hearts that were once tender and susceptible of good impressions become gradually hardened. Wasted opportunities, the riotous revel of sins, the action of worldly pleasures, the tramp of business, all or any of these may render the heart impervious to the truth, and consequently unfruitful.
Souls, however, are not helpless and irresponsible. The wayside may be converted into fertile soil. God can change the hardened heart into “an honest and good heart” (Luke 8:15), which shall yield precious and abundant fruit.
Happy are those who seek and obtain this grace that they may believe and be saved.
THE MYSTICAL COURT 