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Mark 4:13-20
Jesus taught the parable of the sower in Mark 4:1-9, and in Mark 4:10 His disciples asked Him to explain it to them; they desired to learn from Him, and, in their not understanding His teaching, they came to Him and asked Him for help. In Mark 4:11 (NKJV) Jesus replies, “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
‘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.’” [Isaiah 6:9,10]
This “mystery” is spoken of by the Apostle Paul in Colossians 1:27 declaring, “To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” And for those who believe in Him, He explains this parable in Mark 4:13-20 as He teaches, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? The sower sows the word. And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble. Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit; some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”
This is an example and promise that when you bring your questions to Jesus with a sincere heart, He will teach you and lead you in the ways of righteousness.
The Apostle Paul ties the teachings of Jesus to being able to understand them with the words, “To them God willed to make known” (Colossians 1:27). It is God who calls us to Him and gives us the ability to learn from Him and grow in our wisdom, understanding, and knowledge. It is up to us as to if we answer His call on our lives and respond to His call with obedience – the very thing in which God desired to have from Adam and Eve that was broken through sin – dis-obedience. It is the same obedience to God that brings us back to Him through the obedience of our Savior Christ Jesus to the cross that sets us free from the sin that is disobedience and allows us – through Him – to receive righteousness in our obedience to answer His call on our lives. It is then that we can be the ones that Jesus teaches about in Mark 4:20, “But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit; some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.” Let us all hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit unto the Lord!
Dear LORD,
You call us to You; You give us the ability to hear Your word, accept it, and bear fruit for the kingdom of heaven. Please help us to answer Your call on our lives in obedience and humility to You so that You may utilize us to shine Your glory in this world through salvation in Christ Jesus. In Jesus name I pray, amen.