I was sitting out on my front porch yesterday as I wrote yesterday’s blog post about “The Sower … the Seed … and the harvest.”
As I was sitting there, the little hummingbirds kept coming and going, back and forth from the hummingbird feeder.
Both of the hanging hooks are occupied with hanging flower baskets, so the hummingbird feeder is sitting on the front porch railing … quite close to where I was.
Most hummingbirds were mellow and just wanted to come, get a bite to eat, and rest for a minute.
One Rufous hummingbird felt like the feeder was its own personal domain! This little hummingbird had control issues … and it would “patrol” the area clicking and chirping and shooing away any other birds who tried to get close.
Then … when that one’s back was turned, a different little hummingbird acted as if the feeder was its own personal domain! This little bird didn’t make a big scene clicking and chirping. In fact, it made no noise whatsoever. Rather, it would fly all domineering-like right up into the personal space of the other little hummer calmly sitting there resting. It would hover there, silently and ominously … trying to use the power of intimidation! If intimidation didn’t work, the little bird resorted to aggression … stabbing at and shooing away its neighbor.
Every night I bring the hummingbird feeders inside so that the bear won’t raid them. And every morning I carry the feeders back outside, so the little hummingbirds can enjoy them throughout the day.
This morning, as I was setting the hummingbird feeder out on the front porch railing, the thought of the bear raiding the feeders and stealing away all the food brought to mind the parable of the Sower and the Seed (which I have been contemplating recently).
The bear raiding the feeders and stealing away the food is a lot like the “birds of the air” in Jesus’s parable stealing away the seed:
“A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. …
“This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the Word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.” – Luke 8:5, 11-12
In this parable, Jesus is obviously referring to the “seed” (the Word of God) convicting people of sin … and as a result, people repent of their sin, turn from their sin, and put their faith in Jesus Christ.
The sermons and teachings I have heard throughout my life have focused on the fact that the parable of the Sower and the Seed is solely and exclusively about salvation. The entire point of the parable is the power of the “seed” (Word of God) to convict of sin and bring salvation.
But the “seed” (the Word of God) doesn’t just convict of sin, to lead to salvation. It does so much more!
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man/woman of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” – 2 Timothy 3:16
As I brought the hummingbird feeder out to the front porch this morning, I couldn’t help but think that just as I provide food for the hummingbirds each morning (and let’s face it, even if I didn’t provide food, God has more than provided enough flowers and food for the little hummingbirds) … in the same way God himself (as the Sower) provides the “seed” (the Word of God) for my own spiritual “food” each day!
Jesus’s parable of the Sower and the Seed isn’t solely and exclusively about salvation. It’s about the all-encompassing power of the “seed” (the Word of God) to bring about a harvest. Yes … this starts with salvation! But the “harvest” is grown day-by-day.
Jesus’s parable of the Sower and the Seed is about the all-encompassing power of the “seed” (the Word of God) from start … to finish!
The “seed” (the Word of God) convicts of sin. This is the “seed” sprouting in someone’s life.
“The Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” – Hebrews 4:12
The “seed” (the Word of God) is also our Bread of Life and our Living Water to sustain us day-to-day, so that we can grow spiritually.
Jesus speaking: “I am the bread of life.” – John 6:35
“Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.” – 2 Corinthians 9:10
Jesus’s parable of the Sower and the Seed is about the all-encompassing power of the “seed” (the Word of God) from start to finish! From salvation (the “seed” sprouting) … all the way to the “harvest” of righteousness.
The different examples Jesus gives in his parable are the different stages of spiritual growth along the way.
“Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.” – Luke 8:12
This is like the bear raiding the hummingbird feeders and stealing away all the goodness.
The bear will continue to come … trying to steal the goodness from the feeders.
In the same way the devil will continually try to steal away the “seed” (the Word of God). Every day.
But even though the bear will continue to come and try to steal the goodness, I make sure to provide food for the hummingbirds each day. Each day I bring the hummingbird feeders out.
So also, in the same way, even though the devil/Satan tries to steal away the “seed” (the Word of God) from our soul on a daily basis, God (the Sower) always provides “seed” every day!
“Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” – Lamentations 3:22-23
“Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.” – Luke 8:13
“The seed that fell among the thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasure, and they do not mature.” – Luke 8:14
This is like the little hummingbirds who come to the feeder and are eager to receive the food which has been provided, but they are harassed and intimidated and bullied and shooed away! And off they fly …
Or … this could also be like the little hummingbirds who feel they must be in control! These little hummingbirds don’t enjoy the food provided either, because they are so busy trying to be in control … fretting and worrying … clicking and chirping … constantly flying back and forth to “patrol” the area. They can’t rest and simply receive the food which has been provided.
Jesus specifically states: “… they do not mature.” – Luke 8:14
This parable is all about spiritual growth and maturity.
“But the seed on good soil stands for those … who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.” – Luke 8:15
This parable is all about spiritual growth and maturity … from start … to finish!
Here you can see my view on my front porch this morning as I sat down to write this blog post. My Bible is opened to the Parable of the Sower and the Seed in Mark 4:1-20 … and in the background, there is a little hummingbird eating at the feeder. Can you see it?
Zooming in … here you can see it better …
For the very first time in my life, I realized this morning that Jesus’s parable of the Sower and the Seed is about the all-encompassing power of the “seed” (the Word of God) from start … to finish! The parable is about spiritual growth and maturity … from start … to finish!
The Sower … and the Seed … on a daily basis.
The Sower (God) … provides the “seed” (the Word of God) … on a daily basis. Growth happens on a daily basis. The “harvest” of righteousness is a result of growth via the “seed” (the Word of God) on a daily basis.
The Sower … and the Seed … on a daily basis.
