Parable of the Sower

Matthew 13:3-8 "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."

Here is an interesting new perspective on this parable that we hear so often.  In those days Jerusalem was under influence of Roman rule.  The Romans had heavy taxes and so when the farmers sowed, a great deal of tax was taken from their harvest.  Now keep in mind that the good and fruitful soil belonged to the Roman empire.  So these farmers would frequently sow in other soil that was bad, but hidden, in order to make a better living and avoiding the heavy tax.

Now on this soil the Roman empire might have been off your back, but a good harvest was very unprobable since you were now battling the elements like thorns and thistles, the sun, bad soil etc.  Here we hear the classic story of God will provide no matter the circumstance.  The sermon said you should sow on the good ground and forget about the hidden soil despite the advantages it might have.  The lesson we learn here is that God provides in mysterious ways and that we don't have to go outside the law to get God's protection or providence.  See God gets glory out of providing for His children in unlikely circumstances!

1 Peter 2:13-15 "Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution,whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people." 

The book of Peter explains it perfectly.  We don't have to have a plan B to be saved. God is all we need!  So serve the way we were called to serve and see how God provides far and above what we can hope or think of!