The Parable of the Sower - Darren Rowse
What happens when God speaks… but people respond in very different ways?
In this opening message of our new series The Kingdom of Heaven is like…, Darren Rowse explores one of Jesus’ most well-known parables — the Parable of the Sower, found in Matthew 13:1–23. It’s a story Jesus tells at a pivotal moment in his ministry, as responses to his message become more mixed, resistant, and complicated.
In this post, we’ll unpack what this parable meant for Jesus’ first listeners, what it reveals about the Kingdom of Heaven, and how it gently invites us to reflect on how we are listening today. We’ll also offer some practical ways to live this out, a short prayer, and questions for personal reflection and small group discussion.
You can watch or listen to the full sermon below.
A Story About Seeds, Soil, and Listening
Matthew 13 marks a turning point in the Gospel. Until now, Jesus has spoken quite directly — calling people to repent, announcing the nearness of God’s kingdom, healing the sick, and challenging religious leaders. But by this point, resistance is growing.
Some are pushing back openly. Others are confused. Even those closest to Jesus are struggling to understand.
It’s in this environment that Jesus begins teaching in parables — everyday stories that invite reflection rather than force agreement. Stories that reveal truth to those who are open, and quietly pass by those who are not.
Jesus begins with a simple command - “LISTEN”.
Then he tells a story his audience would have instantly recognised.
A farmer goes out to sow seed. As he scatters it generously, the seed falls on four different kinds of soil:
A hard path
Rocky ground
Thorn-filled soil
Good soil
The seed is the same in every case. What differs is how it is received.
Later, in private, Jesus explains to his disciples that the seed represents the message about the Kingdom of Heaven — the good news of God’s reign arriving through him. And the soils represent different ways people respond when they hear that message.
“The Kingdom of Heaven doesn’t arrive through force or power — it comes quietly, like a seed, carrying life within it.”
Four Ways We Can Hear — and Miss — God’s Voice
One of the strengths of Jesus’ parables is that they invite us to find ourselves in the story. As we listen, we naturally begin to ask: Which soil sounds most like me?
1. A Hard Heart
The first soil is the well-trodden path. The seed lands, but it never sinks in.
This isn’t about intelligence or knowledge. Jesus isn’t saying, “If you don’t understand quickly, you’re out.” The issue here is posture. A heart that is closed, guarded, or resistant. A way of listening that keeps God at arm’s length.
We can hear the words — even regularly — without ever letting them become personal.
2. A Shallow Heart
The second soil responds quickly and enthusiastically. There’s joy. Growth. Early signs of life.
But there’s no depth.
When things get hard — when faith costs something, when expectations aren’t met, when suffering comes — the roots can’t sustain the plant.
This is the danger of a faith built on excitement rather than formation. A faith that loves what Jesus gives, but struggles with who Jesus is.
3. A Divided Heart
The third soil allows the seed to grow, but not without competition.
Jesus names the thorns clearly: the worries of life and the deceitfulness (or delights) of wealth. These things don’t necessarily kill faith outright — but they limit it. They choke fruitfulness.
Many of us recognise ourselves here. Busy lives. Anxious minds. Competing priorities. Good things that quietly crowd out the best thing.
“The gospel doesn’t disappear — it just gets drowned out.”
4. A Receptive Heart
Finally, Jesus speaks of good soil.
Like the others, this person hears the word — but they also understand it. Not just intellectually, but relationally. With openness. With willingness to be changed.
Understanding here is active. It involves listening, seeking, praying, and staying close to Jesus. And the result is fruit — lives shaped by the Kingdom, often in ways far beyond what was originally sown.
“The more time we spend with the Sower, the more the seed begins to make sense.”
Becoming People Who Truly Listen
At its heart, this parable isn’t meant to shame us — it’s meant to invite us.
It invites us to notice where our hearts might be hard, shallow, or divided. And it gently calls us toward a posture of openness and understanding.
The good news is that soil can change.
God is patient. Generous. Constantly sowing. And deeply committed to doing his gardening work in us — if we’ll let him.
One Way to Live It Out This Week
Choose one intentional moment this week to “be with the Sower.”
That might mean:
Reading a short passage of Scripture slowly
Praying honestly about what’s distracting or worrying you
Sharing life and faith with another believer
Don’t aim for perfection — aim for presence.
A Short Prayer
Jesus, you are the generous Sower.
Soften what is hard in us.
Deepen what is shallow.
Clear away what competes for our hearts.
Give us understanding, and help your Kingdom take root in our lives.
Amen.
Reflection and Discussion Questions
Personal Reflection
Which soil do you most recognise in yourself right now? Why?
What tends to harden, shallow, or divide your heart when it comes to faith?
What might it look like for you to seek understanding more intentionally this year?
Small Group Discussion
When you hear the phrase “The Kingdom of Heaven is like…”, what comes to mind?
Why do you think Jesus chose to teach this message using a story rather than a direct explanation?
What stands out to you most in the parable of the sower?
How does this parable help explain the mixed responses people had to Jesus?
Which soil do you find most challenging — and why?
What are some modern “thorns” that can quietly choke faith today?
What practices help keep your heart receptive to God?
How can we pray for one another to become more like good soil?