The Sample Parable

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea.2 And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, 6 but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8 Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 He who has ears, let him hear." (Matthew 13)
Jesus is not playing easy to get.  He went out and sat by the sea. People had to decide that they were going to go out and see what He had to say.  He then told a lot of parables - notice He said "many things in parables." No explanation given.  Why was that? (come back tomorrow to see...) This "sample" parable is one of the best known, yet still debated, of all His parables. Why? Jesus was not trying to be easily understood or believed in. He was seeking the sincere. This is the "sample" parable because it refers to what is happening. He speaks truth, then waits to see where it takes root - who will respond. He faithfully shares it with all, but the state of the soil makes all the difference. Once again he makes this piercing statement: "He who has ears, let him hear." Are we really listening?