Parable of the Sower
This painting is based on the “Parable of the Sower” as told by Yeshua and recorded in the historical accounts of Matthew 13, Mark 4, and Luke 8. As much as possible, I’ve tried to make this a straight forward visual representation of Messiah’s teaching. In this way, the image becomes an opportunity to recount the parable to others and unpack its important spiritual significance.
Each of the four horizon lines depict one of the different situations in parable wherein the sower scatters his seed. Yeshua himself later explains that the seed is the Word of God, and thus, the soil on which it falls is representative of the condition of our heart. The black birds on the path in the background are devouring the seed that fell by the wayside and was trampled. This is symbolic of the fact that when someone “hears the word and does not understand it, the devil quickly comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.”
The drought-cracked land with withered and collapsed plants portray the seed that fell on rocky soil and quickly sprang up only to be soon scorched by the sun. This individual hears the word and “immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.” Here I chose to paint several plants because our world is unfortunately populated by far too many people fitting this description. Our adversary has been very successful and causing people to be ashamed to take a stand on the word of God.
In the third horizon a lone withering wheat stalk, with it’s leaves beginning to dry out, is clenched by a menacing snake-like vine of thorns. Rather than crowd the composition with several plants, I decided to keep it personal with just one individual stalk being choked by the thorns. This perhaps could allow a viewer to contemplate the soil in which they are presently planted, or recall a time when they felt the sting of the thorns against their faith. It also seemed in keeping with the fact that Yeshua Himself spoke of the various plants singularly in the parable.
Matthew 13:22, “As for what was sown among thorns, this is the ONE who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful."
In addition, however, there is one small, young seedling also being choked by the serpentine vine of thorns. This is intended to allude to the fact that our children are inexorably connected to the current condition of our own faith. The adversary most certainly has his eyes on our kids and is working diligently to keep their eyes off the Father. In this way, it is a call to action that we be found working just as hard to till the ground of our own heart and be an example to our children of the good soil that yields an abundance!
The final horizon in the foreground depicts the seed that fell on good soil. These are the ones that, “having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with endurance,” producing a harvest greater than themselves. This is obviously the goal of every follower of Christ; to be an overcomer. To endure patiently until the end, remaining steadfast in our obedience. Continually persevering in the dedicated work of trying to expand the kingdom of God here on Earth. As such, this plant is the only one in the painting that breaks the horizon line and rises, like our savior did, into the cloudy sky. The head of grain, adorned with it’s golden seeds, is the crown of life we are promised in James 1:12, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”
It is also worth being reminded that all is not lost for anyone currently planted in the undesirable soils. At one point or another in my own life, I have found myself planted in each of these soil beds. Because of the abundant grace of our Father, it is possible to have the soil that is our heart changed. In this way, His word might be transplanted into a more fertile environment that would allow it to take root and truly grow. As believers, may this fact keep us ever motivated.
Luke 10:2, ““The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
The original 11"x14" acrylic painting is available for $500
Also available are full size 11" x 14" high resolution fine art giclée reproduction prints of this painting for $75
Anyone interested can use to the contact page for more details or to make arrangements.
Each of the four horizon lines depict one of the different situations in parable wherein the sower scatters his seed. Yeshua himself later explains that the seed is the Word of God, and thus, the soil on which it falls is representative of the condition of our heart. The black birds on the path in the background are devouring the seed that fell by the wayside and was trampled. This is symbolic of the fact that when someone “hears the word and does not understand it, the devil quickly comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.”
The drought-cracked land with withered and collapsed plants portray the seed that fell on rocky soil and quickly sprang up only to be soon scorched by the sun. This individual hears the word and “immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.” Here I chose to paint several plants because our world is unfortunately populated by far too many people fitting this description. Our adversary has been very successful and causing people to be ashamed to take a stand on the word of God.
In the third horizon a lone withering wheat stalk, with it’s leaves beginning to dry out, is clenched by a menacing snake-like vine of thorns. Rather than crowd the composition with several plants, I decided to keep it personal with just one individual stalk being choked by the thorns. This perhaps could allow a viewer to contemplate the soil in which they are presently planted, or recall a time when they felt the sting of the thorns against their faith. It also seemed in keeping with the fact that Yeshua Himself spoke of the various plants singularly in the parable.
Matthew 13:22, “As for what was sown among thorns, this is the ONE who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful."
In addition, however, there is one small, young seedling also being choked by the serpentine vine of thorns. This is intended to allude to the fact that our children are inexorably connected to the current condition of our own faith. The adversary most certainly has his eyes on our kids and is working diligently to keep their eyes off the Father. In this way, it is a call to action that we be found working just as hard to till the ground of our own heart and be an example to our children of the good soil that yields an abundance!
The final horizon in the foreground depicts the seed that fell on good soil. These are the ones that, “having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with endurance,” producing a harvest greater than themselves. This is obviously the goal of every follower of Christ; to be an overcomer. To endure patiently until the end, remaining steadfast in our obedience. Continually persevering in the dedicated work of trying to expand the kingdom of God here on Earth. As such, this plant is the only one in the painting that breaks the horizon line and rises, like our savior did, into the cloudy sky. The head of grain, adorned with it’s golden seeds, is the crown of life we are promised in James 1:12, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”
It is also worth being reminded that all is not lost for anyone currently planted in the undesirable soils. At one point or another in my own life, I have found myself planted in each of these soil beds. Because of the abundant grace of our Father, it is possible to have the soil that is our heart changed. In this way, His word might be transplanted into a more fertile environment that would allow it to take root and truly grow. As believers, may this fact keep us ever motivated.
Luke 10:2, ““The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
The original 11"x14" acrylic painting is available for $500
Also available are full size 11" x 14" high resolution fine art giclée reproduction prints of this painting for $75
Anyone interested can use to the contact page for more details or to make arrangements.
