Mark 4

There are many things that Mark 4 talks about, but let me start by bringing attention to a particular verse. This verse is of the utmost importance in this whole chapter. That verse is Mark 4:13, where Jesus had just completed telling the parable to a “whole multitude” as is described in verse 1. He said, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?”. That one scripture tells us that this parable is a foundational scripture where all of the other parables he tells are based upon and are supported by. Very important!!
This parable speaks of a “sower” or as I like to think, a preacher or one who spreads the gospel. The parable goes on to explain that this sower begins to spread the seed (word) around as he goes. It describes how the seed falls into the “hearing” of all those who hear it, it is meant to minister for salvation and growth. It is my opinion that this parable applies to both unbelievers, or unsaved and to the believers or the saved. Without being repetitious and going over all of what is described but basically there are four types of people who hear the word. How they receive the word and how they believe what they hear and last, what they do with what they hear and believe. I know that in my own life I have experienced all four at various times. The first happened to me when I was first exposed to the word and to the lord. It sounded great and I accepted it quickly, but my lifestyle was such that satan quickly came and caused distractions because of my lack of commitment to God and stole the word away.
The second is a place I have found myself. I heard the word and readily accepted it, loved it and began to apply it to my life. After tribulation and persecution began to come into my life because of what I had heard and began to apply I turned away from the very thing that would have helped me. Why? Because I did not have the foundational truths of God established, I would fall away. No root, as the word says here. My faith had been challenged and I had been made fun of and all the other things that go with making a stand to be a Christian.
The third I believe is the one that is by far the one most of us experience and are guilty of, It is allowing the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches and the desire of other things entering into our heart that choke out the word in our lives. All of this causes us to be unfruitful in the ways of God. We have the knowledge of the word of God but lack the power in our lives because all those other things are more important to us than his word and his work in our lives. This is why it is so important to not only seek his wisdom and pray about every decision we make, but also what it is we have our eyes on. Key!!
The fourth and final people are the ones who hear the word and accept it and then bear fruit on what they have learned. The variable degrees upon which they apply what they have learned is reflective of how much fruit they bear, as it describes, “some thirty times, some sixty and some a hundred”.
You can see that all of us have been in one state or another regarding how the word is sown into our lives. But it all goes deeper than this, for after the explanation of the parable Jesus says to those who are listening. Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Isn’t it to be set out on a table? For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed nor has anything been kept secret that it will come out? He then goes another step and announces to them all, if anyone has ears (spiritually) to hear, let him hear (spiritually). If we hide the very things that God teaches us and reveals to us, how can anyone learn and grow from those things? God speaks to us each in ways that are specific to our own hearts, even though those things are common among his own. As the word says, we are fit together like a body, each of us has our own duty and purpose, but they are all for one purpose. We cannot do without each other, even as diverse as we can be.
He continues, be careful what you hear, for with the same measure (or growth from what you learn, applying the word that you hear and learn from), it will be measured (growth) back to you. And if you do hear it, more will be given to you. Read verse 25 with this in mind and you will understand.
Then Jesus explains that the kingdom of God is like a man that scatters seed on the ground, he then sleeps during the night and rises each day, all the while the seed sprouts and grows. How? He does not know, but the earth yields the crops of the seeds he scatters. The seeds grows, over time the seed changes into the very thing it was meant to be, first the blade, then the head and finally the full grain. When it reaches this point it is time to harvest it, or reap the blessing.
He then asks “What shall we compare this to the kingdom of God? Jesus then describes how the mustard seed is the smallest of seeds, yet when it reaches its full potential it becomes larger than any of the other herbs, which are mostly bushes. But the mustard grows into a huge tree which not only produces fruit after its own kind, but provides shelter and rest for the birds of the air.
So we need to ask ourselves, what does the mustard seed and its tree have to do with the parable of the sower? In verse 14, we find the key. “The sower sows the word” The word of God is the key here! If we use the word in our everyday lives, speaking out what it says to us, what it says we are, what it says we have, everything the word of God describes that is ours, then we can see how in the little things we apply it to can become larger than we can even understand. God’s word, as is described within, is life! It is sharper than any two edged sword, it cuts through all of the lies the enemy throws at us. It even cuts down to the very essence of who we are. Everything we have need of in our lives, both here and in eternity all reside within the Word of God. So what comes out of our mouths is very powerful because God created us in his image, which means that we have the power of the “word”, our words have power that can be, constructive or destructive. This is why it is so important to watch every word that comes out of the mouth. Going back to the book of James which describes the power and importance of the same........more to come!

Teachings

It is my intention to utilize this blog for all who are desiring to be taught about the Word of God, the Bible. This is the first post of many more to come and only an announcement of what this blog is for. Come back for Biblically based teachings on subjects like, "Is God speaking to me?", " How do I know his voice?", "Living my daily life in agreement with God". Many others as well. If you have a question about what God's word says, submit it to me in an email with other information regarding your situation and I will do my best to give you what God's word says. Blessings to you all!