“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.” and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’
[a]” 9) Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” 10) When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. 11) He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables 12) so that, "they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, 13) Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable? 14) The farmer sows the word. 15) 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.
16) Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. 17) 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. 18) Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19) 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. 20) 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.”
Footnotes:
a.Mark 4:12 Isaiah 6:9,10...
This parable contained instruction so important, that all capable of hearing were bound to attend to it. There are many things we are concerned to know; and if we understand not the plain truths of the gospel, how shall we learn those more difficult! It will help us to value the privileges we enjoy as disciples of Christ, if we seriously consider the deplorable state of all who have not such privileges. In the great field of the church, the word of God is dispensed to all.
Of themany that hear the word of the gospel, but few receive it, so as to bring forth fruit. Many are much affected with the word for the present, who yet receive no abiding benefit. The word does not leave abiding impressions upon the minds of men, because their hearts are not duly disposed to receive it.
The devil is very busy about careless hearers, as the fowls of the air go about the seed that lies above ground. Many continue in a barren, false profession, and go down to hell. Impressions that are not deep, will not last. Many do not mind heart-work, without which religion is nothing. Others are hindered from profiting by the word of God, by abundance of the world. And those who have but little of the world, may yet be ruined by indulging the body. God expects and requires fruit from those who enjoy the gospel, a temper of mind and Christian graces daily exercised, Christian duties duly performed.
Let us look to the Lord, that by his new-creating grace our hearts may become good
ground, and that the good seed of the word may produce in our lives those good words and works which are through Jesus Christ, to the praise and glory of God the Father. (Mk 4:21-34)
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Posted By: Jen Fad
Sunday, January 2nd 2011 at 4:56AM
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