Chapter 18—Parable of the Sower
Jesus had spent the entire night in prayer, and he came down to the
beach in the early morning to look for his disciples who were fishing
near the shore. He could not long remain undisturbed by the people.
As soon as it was known that Christ was by the sea-side, the multitude
flocked to him. Their numbers increased so that he was pressed upon
all sides. As he stood teaching them, the crowd became so dense that
he stepped into a boat, and pulling out a little from the shore, gave the
people a better opportunity to see and hear him, as he continued his
discourse.
He frequently adopted this plan to escape from the eager throng
that crowded upon each other to get into his presence. In this way he
could speak the things that he desired them to hear without interruption.
The Saviour, seated in the rude boat of a fisherman, taught the words of
life to the listening people upon the beach. He was patient with those
who were laboring under temptation, tender and kind to the sorrowing
and disheartened. His words found a response in many hearts, and
light from his divine instruction poured in upon many darkened minds.
What a scene was this for angels to contemplate! Their glorious
Commander, sitting in a fisherman’s boat, swayed to and fro by the
restless water, and preaching salvation to the listening crowd that are
pressing down to the water’s edge! He who was the honored of Heaven
[233]
teaches his grand doctrine of deliverance in the open air to the common
crowd. Yet he could have no more magnificent scene for his labors.
The lake, the mountains, the spreading fields, the sunlight flooding the
earth, all furnish subjects by which his lessons can be impressed upon
the human mind.
In plain sight are the sowers and the reapers, side by side, the one
casting the seed, and the other harvesting the early grain. The fruitful
valleys, and the hill sides are clothed in beauty. The barren rocks are
seen upon the beach, and the birds make the air vocal with their music.
The sea-fowls skim upon the surface of the water. Jesus takes this
opportunity to draw lessons from nature that will sink into the minds
162