Show me Thy Ways – The Parable of the Sower
The Christian manner of life is not one of ease and comfort as far as human inclinations are concerned. In his call to men Jesus made no such promise of life free from trouble. All he could promise was a life of difficulty; a life of constant striving against diversion and opposition. He said,
If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
It is not difficult for us to discern the significance of this process of “taking up a cross” to follow Christ. The manner of life demanded of his followers was in marked contrast to that which satisfies the natural inclinations of man. The close followers of Christ have, in all ages, been a minority which has preserved an offensive distinctiveness before their contemporaries. This has resulted in their being the subjects of persecutions, ridicule and contempt in various forms.
Many, therefore, who embark upon this mission with enthusiasm make an excellent start, but in the face of difficulty and opposition are unable to exhibit those qualities that enable them to overcome and keep going. This inevitable defection on the part of some of the called was foreseen by Christ. For, in the Parable of the Sower, in shewing the varying reactions to the preaching of the Gospel, he shewed that some seed would fall on stony ground which would immediately bring forth a plant; but lacking depth of soil or the qualities necessary to preserve its life it could only wither and die.
Hear Now These Words 