The Parable of the Seeds – Mark 4:1-20
What kind of soil are you? Today’s Gospel lesson is Jesus’ parable about the seeds. It comes from Mark 4:1-20. You may click on this link to read it in its entirety. I am printing Jesus explanation of the parable below followed by my comments:
Mark 4:13-20
New Living Translation (NLT)
13 Then Jesus said to them, “If you can’t understand the meaning of this parable, how will you understand all the other parables? 14 The farmer plants seed by taking God’s word to others. 15 The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message, only to have Satan come at once and take it away. 16 The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. 17 But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. 18 The seed that fell among the thorns represents others who hear God’s word, 19 but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced. 20 And the seed that fell on good soil represents those who hear and accept God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”
As Jesus said, the seeds are God’s Word, and the soil the people who hear the Word. Which situation sounds like your life?
Are you willing to hear God’s Word, or do you respond with all the doubts Satan pours into your thoughts whenever the subject comes up?
Did you rejoice to think about all of God’s blessings without ever considering what you should give, then abandoned the teachings?
Did you joyfully accept his teachings then forget them when you saw other things you wanted instead?
Or did you treasure God’s Word, letting it reach every part of your heart and soul so that your roots would grow deep? This is the soil that will produce an abundant crop as well as give you abundant life.
Father God, help us to take care of our soil – our very relationship with you – that we may hold fast to your teachings and remain firm in our faith so we may be productive for you. Make us truly thankful for your Word and for all of your blessings.