Religion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Religion - Essay Example The four types of ground described by Jesus were the wayside (or roadside), stony places, thorns and good ground (13 Matt. 4-8 King James Version). Each one of these different seed-beds results in a very different experience for the seeds that land in them. The seeds that fall among the wayside are immediately devoured by birds. The seeds that fall in the stony places sprout up immediately but soon whither because their roots are not firmly established. Seeds that fell among the thorns begin to develop normally, but are then chocked out as the thorns spring up and outpace their growth. Finally, the good ground that the Lord mentions in the parable provides all the elements necessary for the full maturation of the crop. From that one seed, the fully mature plant can â€Å"†¦bring forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold and some thirtyfold.† (13 Matt. 8 King James Version) In clarifying his use of parables to the Apostles, Jesus explained that he did this so the people would understand. Understanding the teachings of the Gospel were important because Jesus likened the seeds that fell on stony ground to people that heard the Gospel and did not understand it. Their maturation was stopped even before the seed could germinate. This lack of progress was due to ignorance even after receiving the word. In a way, Jesus was expressing to the Apostles the need for clear and succinct teaching of Gospel doctrine. The second group of individuals take root but can not make it through the trials and temptations inherent in daily living. They cannot withstand the heat of these trials and so are scorched as if by the sun. Their faith withers and their maturation ceases. The third group to receive the word are described as landing among thorns. Maturation progresses as expected among the thorns but the good crops are soon outpaced by the bad. The tender growth