(Mark 4:1-20)
Bro. Michael Benjamin
My favorite parable in the Bible is the ”Parable of the Soils.” I am always in awe of the fact that the scenarios in this parable are still prevalent today, in the church. Jesus gives us three scenarios of how hearers of the Word of God have a hard time grasping what they have heard. Let me break it down for you one at a time.
- The Way Side
In the parable of the soils, Jesus teaches about one who was out sowing. As he was sowing, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured it. Jesus likened this to those who hear the Word, but Satan comes immediately, and takes the Word out of the people’s heart. How can I avoid this from happening? Coming to church regularly is a perfect start. I think of the way side as unfamiliar territory. A place where nobody can direct you, you just happen to come across it. A place afar off from civilization. You don’t want to be isolated from other seeds (Saints), so Satan can get you all alone.
- Stony Ground
Jesus also taught how some seeds fell on stony ground. There was no earth for the seeds to be rooted, so the plant sprung up immediately due to lack of depth. Unfortunately, the sun rose up and scorched the plant, and it withered away. Jesus likened this to those who heard the Word, and immediately receive it with gladness. “I’m telling everybody that I got saved!” “I’m going to read the whole Bible tomorrow!” “I wonder if I can walk on water, too?” Sound familiar? Unfortunately, trials and persecutions came about, and since there is no root to hold them, they endure only for awhile. Well, how can I avoid this? First off, it is a good thing to be excited about receiving salvation. It is truly awesome! However, before we start on our “save the whole world” expedition, let us first become “rooted” in our Word, in our praying and fasting, and in our relationship with Jesus. That way when trials and tribulations come about, we will not be easily offended.
- Thorns
Jesus teaches about some seeds falling among thorns. The thorns grew and choked the growth of the plant, so that it yielded no fruit. Jesus likened this to those who hear the Word, but the cares of this world, the deceit of riches, and lustful desires choke the Word, and it becomes unfruitful. “I want to go to Sunday’s service, but the game comes on at 1 o’clock.” “Paying tithes!? All they want is my money!” “Go to church on Friday!? No sir, that’s the only day I get to rest.” THORNS!!! How do we avoid this scenario? First thing that I do is measure what is important to me. Do I choose temporary pleasure for eternal damnation? Or do choose patience and temperance for eternal life? I realize that everything on this earth will pass away one day. We must “lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven.”
Though the previous three scenarios may leave one worrisome, Jesus gives us blessed assurance. He explains how some seeds fell on Good Ground, which did yield fruit that sprang up and INCREASED! Amazing! What does Jesus liken this to? Those who hear the Word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some one hundred. Luke 8:15 says those with “an honest and good heart” heard the Word, kept it, and brought forth fruit with “patience.” When trials and temptations arise, we must persevere and hold onto the Word of God. Paul reminds us “not to grow weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
In parting, I encourage us to continue to be hearers AND doers of the Word of God. We’ll know where we stand in God by the fruit that we produce. Let’s find a good spot to grow!