Mark 4:2-9
“He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.” Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.””
Mark 4:2-9 NIV
One of the most important questions we need to ask ourselves seriously is this. Am I truly willing to listen to Jesus, hear what He says, and do what He asks of me? The parables are powerful learning stories that plant the word of Jesus deep in our hearts. But, we must be committed to hearing what is said so that it takes root, grows, and produces fruit. We determine the type of soil we offer to the Good News of Jesus.
In these verses it is about a farmer sowing seed and getting a crop. On the surface that is what it is about. Many people will only see that and stop there.
A few verses later, Jesus points out the spiritual meaning of that parable. It is about how God’s word is sown out and some accept it and produce good fruit, while others do not accept it and do not produce any fruit.
Before explaining the parable, Jesus makes the statement about really hearing what was being said.Words are very powerful. They can make something good sound very bad, and they can make something bad sound very good. Since that is the case, a person has to be careful to really listen to what is being said.
Look at politicians and what they say, and compare it to what they are meaning. Look at the articles in the news. Often they can make or break a person, make a person look good or bad.
How does this apply to the Christian? First, in the Bible, be sure to hear what God is really saying in the Scriptures and understand them. Read the Bible with understanding. Let God’s Holy Spirit guide you and open your ears to hearing what God is saying.
Second, really understand what is going on in life today. This goes for your personal life, and life in this world as a whole, starting at your local neighborhood, all the way to the entire world.
God is working in this world. Satan is also working in this world. Are you really listening to what is going on? Are you really hearing what God is wanting to do?
Slow down and listen to God, and understand what He is doing in your life and through you. Allow God to produce a crop in your life of a hundred times over what was sown.
The Parable of the Seed and the Sower goes to the heart of each disciple’s reception of the Word of God. The call to discipleship and the gift of faith demands a response if they are to be nurtured and grow. Personal prayer and meditation are means to draw us ever closer to Christ and His Word. Prayer strengthens our faith, solidifies our will for humble obedience to God, and effects an interior conversion of our hearts to Christ.
So today, Jesus asks you, are you listening? Do you hear the Word of God? Are you responding to truth in such a way that it changes your life? When the Gospel was sown into your life, did it actually take root, then produce fruit? Here’s the most important question, are you prepared to hear the truth of who you really are? Are you genuinely hungry to know Christ? Are you willing to listen deeply enough to embrace the truth? Or have you already said, Hey, I am fruitful, so this isn’t about me. Are we willing to compare our life to what Jesus says here? Are we listening?!!!
Father thank You for this day and Your Word and the truths it contains. Lord let Your abundant blessings fall from Your storehouses over my friend and family today. Lord give us a teachable spirit, ears that are ready and willing to hear the truth, and a heart that is open and prepared to search the Scriptures daily. Lord may we grow in grace, and increase our knowledge and understanding of You of Who You are and all that You have done for those who trust in You. Lord use my friend to be a bold witness of You and Your Gospel to all today. Daddy we love You amen. Be a blessing. Love ya!
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