Parable of the Sower
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complaint against him. Jesus designed to expose their hypocrisy and
evil deeds without laying himself liable to the danger of being arrested
and imprisoned by them, and thus cut off from the work which he
came to do among the people.
He could speak cutting truths in parables, reveal the iniquity that it
was necessary to expose, without any fear of their laws. They could
make the application, for they could not fail to recognize his meaning,
yet they were powerless to condemn him for using a simple illustration
in his discourse.
The words of Jesus implied a reproof to his disciples, because of
their dullness to comprehend his meaning; for in the parable of the
sower, he had illustrated the doctrine he had come to the world to teach.
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If they could not discern things so easily to be understood, how could
they fathom greater truths that he would declare to them in parables?
He also said that he would reveal greater mysteries concerning the
kingdom of God unto them who followed him so closely and obeyed
him than unto those who were outside of his companionship. They
must open their minds to instruction and be ready to believe.
Those who had hardened their hearts to love pomp and ceremony
did not wish to understand his teachings nor desire the work of God’s
grace within their hearts. This class would remain in ignorance of
their own choosing. Those who connected with Heaven, and received
Christ, who is the source of light and truth, would understand his
words and gain practical knowledge concerning the kingdom of God.
But those who, for any reason, neglected their present opportunities
of acquaintance with the truth, and did not rightly use their powers of
comprehension, but refused to be convinced by what their eyes saw
and their ears heard, would be left in darkness; seeing they would not
perceive, and hearing, they would not understand. The truths of God
involved too much self-denial and personal purity to attract their carnal
minds, and they closed their hearts with bigotry and unbelief.
The great Teacher blessed his disciples because they both saw and
heard with eyes and ears that believed. Said he, “Many prophets and
righteous men have desired to see these things which ye see, and have
not seen them; and to hear the things which ye hear, and have not
heard them.” Jesus then explained to his disciples the different classes
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represented in the parable he had given them.