Mark 4:13-20
“Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable? The farmer sows the word. Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.””
Mark 4:13-20 NIV
This is what Jesus illustrates in these verses with the parable of the sower. We don’t know much about the seed, or the talent of the sower. We simply know that he scattered it generously, and the soil determined the rest. For us, this means two things
First, this parable challenges our notion of talent and its importance for the purposes of God. It’s easy to assume that the most talented writers, teachers, preachers, or social media influencers set the bar for ministry effectiveness. But that is not at all what Jesus is saying here. Instead, Jesus implies how little control we exercise over what a person hears. We can articulate the gospel as clearly and brilliantly as possible, but if the soil is bad, the seed will not take root. Likewise, we can communicate a teeny tiny, mustard seed of truth, but what people hear is different and sometimes much more powerful than what we intended to say. This frees us from the insecurities and self-doubt that often inhibit obedience.
The second takeaway shifts away from our role as the sower to our role as the soil. Many of us are only willing to receive God’s truth from certain sowers. We cannot learn or will not learn from preachers whose styles we do not prefer or whose theology is not quite in sync with our own. While we should certainly be discerning about false teaching, Jesus challenges us to search ourselves and the state of our heart’s soil because the Word of God is always good seed. If it bounces straight off of our ears, then perhaps we need to examine our soil before blaming the sower.
Jesus exemplified both of these principles by teaching in the form of parables, which were deliberately opaque. If ever the soil could blame the sower for scattering the seed badly, parables would be it. But Jesus was driving home the truth that our preaching has less power than our faithfulness. Let anyone who has ears to hear listen. Be obedient, and trust the Holy Spirit with the rest.
What do the different soils represent to us? The wayside or calloused heart is someone who hears but does not understands or is dominated by satan, so just lets it wither and die. The stoney ground or shallow heart receives the word of God with joy, but has no roots or spiritual character so it dies. Thorns or stoney heart grows up with the new plant, but the thorns end up overwhelming by allurements, the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, the lust of other things, and end up choking out the life, so it dies. Good soil or fruitful heart is rich and filled with what is needed for a plant to take root and flourish and be productive in proportion to one’s yielding to Christ.
The point, the seed will do its thing if the soil is ready to create the environment for it to flourish. Now, Jesus wants us to get the point that we are the soil, it is up to us to allow the seeds of truth, His Word to grow in our lives. So, where are the rocks and thorns in your spiritual life? What do you need to remove or cultivate so you can be open to what the Word of God wants to say to you today?
Jesus wants us to be productive in our service to His Kingdom. In fact, He is working in the lives of those who are fully yielded to Him to bring about a great harvest. Like a small seed growing into a majestic plant or tree, the power of the Kingdom is multiplied through the lives of those fully yielded to Jesus.
If we are to benefit by the Christian message the parable says that we must do three things. We must hear it. We must receive it. We must put it into action.
Just remember that part of the seed never grew at all and part of it never grew to maturity, but at the end of the season there was a good harvest. The message is clear. Do your work. Sow the seed. Leave the rest to God. The harvest is sure.
Let us remember that as we study the Word, it becomes a mirror in which we suddenly see ourselves. But it we continue to look by faith, the mirror becomes a window through which we see God and His truth. May we respond to the truth we receive, by faith!!!
Father thank You for this day and Your Word and the truths it contains. Lord let Your abundant blessings be my friend and family’s portion today. Lord give us a teachable spirit, ears that are ready and willing to hear the truth, and hearts that are open and prepared to search the Scriptures daily. Lord may we grow in grace, and increase our knowledge and understanding of You, Who You are and all that You have done for those who trust in You. Daddy we love You amen. Be a blessing. Love ya
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