Mark Chapter 4 - Sowing the seed into good ground
April 22 2009
In this chapter, Jesus tells a parable that deals with the sower and the seed. The ultimate goal of the sower is to plant the seed into good ground so that it will yield fruit and continually increase. Jesus tells the story of the different types of ground that the seed falls on. The first example is of seeds that fall onto the surface and never get a chance to take root because the birds come and devour it. The second is rocky ground where the seeds could not take root because there wasn't enough earth under it. The third example deals with the ground that is full of thorns and thistles where the seed is choked out. Then the fourth example is the good ground. This is where the seed flourishes and yields an increase.
These 4 types of grounds represents the hearers of the Word of God. Jesus tells us the the sower sows the seed which is the Word. Every time the Word of God is delivered, it will be received in one of four ways. There will be those who hear the Word but it never gets rooted in them because the enemy comes and immediately steals it from them. They never give the Word a chance to be rooted, so it is very easy for the enemy to come and take it away. There will also be those that will initially receive the Word with joy, but it never gets too deep within them. They are more like fair weather Christians, if you will. As soon as any persecution or trials come as a result of the Word, they stumble. These are those individuals that you may see jump and shout and appear to have it together at church, but as soon as any test comes there way, they aren't able to stand. Then there are those who know the Word, but the become increasingly carnally minded and allow the things of this world to choke out the Word in their life. They begin to turn unfruitful. Then there are those that hear the Word, accept the Word, and act upon the Word. The Word produces in them a harvest of blessings and multitudes of fruit. They are blessed some thirtyfold, sixtyfold, or one hundredfold. These are they that walk by faith and put the Word in action. It's interesting to note that there are three folds here; thirty, sixty, and one hundred. What is the determining factor for either receiving the thirty, sixty, or one hundredfold? You are!! The greater the faith, the greater the desire, and the greater the obedience, then naturally, the greater the fruit in your life.
What type of ground are you categorized in? When the seed of the Word is sprinkled on you, what will the harvest be?? Something to think about isn't it? Be blessed in the wonderful name of our Lord Jesus Christ.