As I studied Mark Chapter 4 this morning, I think I have an insight I have always wondered about that I’d like to share. Most of this chapter is about parables that describe the kingdom of God in terms of sowing seed and bearing fruit. This first parable is the Parable of the Sower, where the Sower went out to sow and some seed fell by the wayside, some fell on stony ground, some fell among thorns, and some fell on good ground. After describing this, he said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
Well, we see that later when He was alone, His disciples and those near Him, asked Him about this parable. His answer has always been a bit mysterious to me. In verse 11, He said, “To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables, so that, (now He is about to quote and Old Testament prophet) ‘Seeing they may see and not perceive, And hearing they may hear and not understand; Lest they should turn, And their sins be forgiven them.'” Does this mean there are people God privileges with understanding and therefore He only saves and heals some? Doesn’t John 3:16 say, “For God so loved *the world* that He gave His only begotten Son so that *all* who believe in Him might be saved”?
It is true that “believe” means those who believe *and* obey. Yet how can you obey what you don’t understand? And even the disciples couldn’t understand without Jesus’ help and explanation. So, this understanding is not some kind of intuitive insight necessarily granted to some and not to others, even if revelation can be a gift of grace at times.
Interestingly this parable is about the Word of God. It is the Word that is the seed being sown. Some hear it and Satan immediately steals it away what was sown in their hearts. Some receive it with gladness but have no root and when faced with tribulation, the sun scorches it and they wither. Some among the thorns have the Word choked out by the cares of this world and the pride of life. And finally some with good soil hear it, accept it, and bear fruit. A little later in Mark 4:30-32, He compares the kingdom of God to a mustard seed, the smallest of all seed that when sown on good soil “grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade.” So we see, the fruit born by even a small piece of God’s truth sown in good soil, in a person who accepts it truly, bears great fruit that even gives shelter to other lives in God’s creation.
In verse 4:24, Jesus reiterates how important it is to “hear” saying, “Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given. For whoever has, to him even more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from.” So we must “take heed” and not let Satan, rootlessness, or the cares of this world take God’s truths from us. In verse 34, it states, “But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples.” So, Jesus preached the Word in parables yet took the time to explain their meaning to those who followed Him closely.
And so it is with us! To truly “take heed” and accept His Word and let it take root in our hearts, in good soil, we must follow Him closely. We must hunger to learn from His explanations. While those in His day did not have the benefit of the Bible, we do! In Matthew 28:19, Jesus encouraged His disciples after His resurrection and before His ascension, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” We are all called to become disciples and we all in our society have the benefit of access to the Bible. Through this Word of God, we are even included in Jesus’ inner circle- we have access to His explanations of the parables the same way His disciples did then!
Proverbs Chapter 2 has a stark warning for all people that shows us how we are to be. Starting in verse 1 it states, “My son, if you receive My words, and treasure My commands within you, so that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; Yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding, If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasure; Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom…He stores up wisdom for the upright…”
So then let us search for His wisdom in His word as for rich treasure and prepare a good soil in our hearts so that we may bear fruit and much fruit! Let us take heed and accept His truth, even the hard truths, and follow Him closely as a faithful disciple. Let us with but a mustard seed of faith bear fruit 30, 60, and a 100-fold and grow branches even birds can nest in. Let us find our hidden treasure in Him and live for Him always! AMEN! Thank you for reading and God bless you!
Mental Health Coaching