Obstacles that Keep Us from the Strait Gate and Narrow Way — The Parable of the Sower ~ Integrated — Via the Wayfaring Gal (7/10/2022)

The OBSTACLES that keep us from entering in at the “Strait Gate”—as commanded by Jesus Christ—and ultimately keep us from entering into God’s kingdom via the “Narrow Way,” are found in the “Parable of the Sower”.

The Parable of the Sower is found in each of these three Books:

1. Matthew 13:3-8, 18-23
2. Mark 4:3-8, 13-20
3. Luke 8:5-8, 11-15

There are four parts to the parable:

1. The Way Side
2. The Stony Ground
3. The Thorns
4. The Good Ground

The first three parts, “The Way Side,” “The Stony Ground,” and “The Thorns,” are figures of the OBSTACLES that keep us from entering in at the “Strait Gate.”

I think of those on “The Way Side” like myself for twenty-five years. I kept a Bible on my bookshelf for some reason, but whenever I picked it up, I was never able to really read it or get any understanding from it. The verses made no sense to me, so back on the shelf it went; just where Satan would have it.

I think of those on “The Stony Ground” similar to myself. For a short period of time, once I heard “the call” and converted to “Christianity” I found myself being extremely happy; you couldn’t wipe that grin off my face and I wanted to tell everyone I saw how great it was. Of course most of those people didn’t really want to hear about it.

The difference between me and the others that heard the call, is that I did not fall away. I started to feel a conviction that there was something missing and I started to dig deeper into God’s word to find out what it was.

I think of those who fell among “The Thorns” as how I was before I was finally called to God’s purpose. Before my conversion, I listened to other “Christians” over the years, but never heard anything that stirred me up enough to look further into God’s word. It was like keeping that Bible on my bookshelf…..it sat there gathering dust while I went about life in this world; working three jobs, going camping, water skiing or anything else that would keep me busy in the world, not thinking about the deeper meaning of my existence. Busy, busy, busy…

Now here we are with those who landed on “The Good Ground“, those few who opened their hearts and minds to hear the true word of God. The ones who became as little children and inquired within the Good Book for the Truth. Honestly asking, wanting to know what life is really all about; seeking and thirsting after those answers.

The scriptures tell us that the vast majority of professing Christians believe they are on “The Good Ground;” while, in truth, they are NOT. They have not “entered in” at all; and, sadly, “knowest not.” (Mt 7:22; 2Pet 2:2; Rev 3:17)

Be Sure You Know Where You TRULY Stand!

I have taken the liberty here to integrate this parable from the three Gospels to show how nicely they flow. I think it also gives one a more in-depth look at what is meant by them.

One more thing to note: the Gospel of John is wholly different from the first three Books being discussed here. His writing deals with the Divine Love aspect of Jesus Christ, for the most part, and why we MUST be born again to enter Heaven.

Jesus begins the Parable of the Sower:

(Matt 13:3) And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;

(Mark 4:2-3) And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,
Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: 

(Luke 8:4) And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable: 

The Way Side

(Matt 13:4) And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. 

(Mark 4:4) And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. 

(Luke 8:5) A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. 

The Stony Ground

(Matt 13:5-6) Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: 
And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. 

(Mark 4:5-6) And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: 
But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. 

(Luke 8:6) And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. 

The Thorns

(Matt 13:7) And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: 

(Mark 4:7) And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. 

(Luke 8:7) And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. 

The Good Ground

(Matt 13:8-9) But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. 
Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. 

(Mark 4:8-9) And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred. 
And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. 

(Luke 8:8) And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. 

Jesus finishes the Parable of the Sower:

(Matt 13:10-13) And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 
For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. 
Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. 

(Mark 4:10-12) And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.
And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: 
That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. 

 (Luke 8:9-10) And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? 
And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. 

In conclusion, Jesus says:

(Matt 13:14-17) And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: 
For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. 
But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. 
For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. 

Jesus Explains the Parable of the Sower 

(Matt 13:18-23; Mark 4:14-20; Luke 8:11-15)

(Matt 13:18) Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower 

(Mark 4:13-14) Know ye not this parable? And how then will ye know all parables? The sower soweth the word.

(Luke 8:11) Now the parable is this: 

The Way Side  

(Matt 13:19) When anyone heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. 

(Mark 4:15) And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. 

(Luke 8:12) Those by the way side are those that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. 

The Stony Ground

(Matt 13:20-21) But he that received the seed into stony places, then same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while; for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. 

(Mark 4:16-17) And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.

(Luke 8:13) 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. 

The Thorns

(Matt 13:22) He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. 

(Mark 4:18-19) And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word and it becometh unfruitful. 

(Luke 8:14) 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 forth no fruit to perfection. 

The Good Ground

(Matt 13:23) But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 

(Mark 4:20) And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred. 

(Luke 8:15) 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. 

For an in-depth guide (pdf) to the strait gate and narrow way, click here: BeSureYouAreSaved.com

Life Along The Way ~ A Prayer & Poem To The Lord

I’ve been by the Wayside

Most all of my life

When I finally came around

I was on stony ground

Then the cares of this world

And the continual scorn

Had all but caused me

To be chocked by the thorns

Now here I am

I’ve made all the rounds

Praying this time

That I’ve fallen on good ground

My eyes have been opened

And the Lord gave me ears

I’m blessed He’s been patient

For all of these years.

~Wayfaring Gal

For a most-helpful guide (pdf) to the narrow way and authentic salvation—by a man who walked it to the end—click here: BeSureYouAreSaved.com

Source: https://wayfaringgalblog.wordpress.com/2022/07/10/obstacles-that-keep-us-from-the-strait-gate-and-narrow-way/