Jesus, Name Above All Names

Heavenly Sower, September 9

“Behold, a sower went out to sow.”—Matthew 13:3 JNN 267.1

In the East the state of affairs was so unsettled, and there was so great danger from violence that the people dwelt chiefly in walled towns, and the husbandmen went forth daily to their labor outside the walls. So Christ, the heavenly Sower, went forth to sow. He left His home of security and peace, left the glory that He had with the Father before the world was, left His position upon the throne of the universe. He went forth, a suffering, tempted man; went forth in solitude, to sow in tears, to water with His blood, the seed of life for a world lost. JNN 267.2

His servants in like manner must go forth to sow. When called to become a sower of the seed of truth, Abraham was bidden, “Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will show thee” (Genesis 12:1). “And he went out, not knowing whither he went” (Hebrews 11:8). So to the apostle Paul, praying in the temple at Jerusalem, came the message from God, “Depart; for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles” (Acts 22:21). So those who are called to unite with Christ must leave all, in order to follow Him. Old associations must be broken up, plans of life relinquished, earthly hopes surrendered. In toil and tears, in solitude, and through sacrifice, must the seed be sown. JNN 267.3

“The sower soweth the word.” Christ came to sow the world with truth. Ever since the fall of humanity, Satan has been sowing the seeds of error. It was by a lie that he first gained control over men and women, and thus he still works to overthrow God’s kingdom in the earth and to bring people under his power. A sower from a higher world, Christ came to sow the seeds of truth. He who had stood in the councils of God, who had dwelt in the innermost sanctuary of the Eternal, could bring to humans the pure principles of truth. Ever since the fall of humanity, Christ had been the Revealer of truth to the world. By Him the incorruptible seed, “the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever,” is communicated to men and women (1 Peter 1:23). In that first promise spoken to our fallen race in Eden, Christ was sowing the gospel seed. But it is to His personal ministry among humanity and to the work which He thus established that the parable of the sower especially applies.—Christ’s Object Lessons, 36-38. JNN 267.4

Further Reflection: What seed can I sow for the kingdom of God today? JNN 267.5