Window 3

Continuing in the first group of windows on the south side, the middle window illustrates the well-known Parable of the Sower, Luke 8:4-15.  The window shows a sower scattering seed as it was done at Jesus’ time.  He walks over the field and, from the apron hanging around his shoulders, throws handfuls of seed onto the soil.  Above and beside him three birds are flying. Overhead, sun rays pierce through the clouds.  Under him are a well-plowed field, as well as hard ground on which he walks, rocks at lower left, and a thorn bush at lower right.

The seed scattered on the ground is God’s word with power to bring life, growth, and fruit to those who hear it.  The sower is any Christian who teaches or preaches the word.  The seed falls on four kinds of hearers.  The hard path where seed is quickly eaten by birds describes those who let the word go in one ear and out the other.  The rocky ground where seed quickly sprouts but with only shallow roots pictures people who become highly emotional with what they hear, but when the hot sun of trial and testing strikes them, their enthusiasm wanes and withers  The weedy soil describes people who receive the word, make a good start at growth, but in time are choked to death by the cares and attractions of this world.  Finally, the good soil which receives the word identifies those who hear the word of God, grow to maturity, and produce the crop of a God-pleasing fruitful life.  God’s word alone is mighty to awaken faith-life and to save.