The Sower
One day, as Jesus was teaching, some women who stood by began to talk about what an honor it was to be the mother of such a son; but he said; "Yea; rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
At another time his mother and his brothers waited to come near and speak with him, but could not get through the crowd that was gathered to hear his words, and to see what miracles he might perform.
When some one told Jesus of this, he said,
"My mother and My brethren are these which hear the word of God and do it."
This shows that we may all be near of kin to Christ, the King of glory, if we will but do his will.
Again, as he was sitting in a boat on the Sea of Galilee, and teaching the multitudes that had gathered an the shore, he told them of a Sower who Went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell by the wayside, and was trodden down, and finally eaten up by birds; some fell upon rocky ground; and soon after it sprang up, it withered and died, because it lacked moisture; some fell among thorns, and the thorns, springing up and growing with the grain, choked it, so that no kernels formed in the heads; but some fell upon good ground, where it grew, and yielded abundantly.
When Jesus was alone with his disciples, they asked him what he meant to teach by this parable of the sower. He then explained it to them, saying, "The seed is the word of God. Those by the wayside are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, least they should believe and be saved, They on the rock are they which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. But that on the good ground are they which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience."