Sunday, March 12, 2017 Mark 4:1-20, 26-31

Teaching with Parables

As Jesus was teaching near the Sea, multitudes gathered around him and forced him to sit in a boat near the shore. He told them he would use parables to teach the gospel.

He told them of a sower of seeds. Some of his seeds fell by the wayside—they were quickly devoured by birds. Some fell on stony ground without much earth. They sprang up, but when the sun rose, they were scorched, for they had no roots. Other seeds fell among thorns. The thorns grew quickly and choked the seeds and yielded no crop. Other seeds fell on fertile ground and yielded a healthy crop that produced and increased some thirty-fold, some sixty-fold, and some even a hundred. He concluded he who has ears to hear, let him hear.

When the disciples gathered around Him, they asked about the parable. He replied, “To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God, 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.”

Then Jesus explained the intent of this parable to his disciples. The sower sows the word. When the word is heard, Satan removes the word that has reached their hearts. It is similar of those sown on stony ground. When heard, they are received with gladness, yet they have no roots. When tribulation arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble. When sown among the thorns, the word is heard yet overcome by the cares of the world. Deceitfulness of riches and desires for other things choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. Only the seeds sowed on fertile ground are heard, accepted and bear fruit, thirty-fold, sixty-fold and more.

This parable sends a strong message and sets a high standard for us, particularly in a world filled with temptation, deceit, and evil. Hear the Word of God, read, study and learn. Understand its meaning. Use the Word as guideposts to channel your efforts to be a Christian of integrity, compassion and grace. Be exemplary examples for your friends, neighbors, and relatives. Build your faith and serve others in need. Assume responsibility to teach and influence your children, grandchildren and friends to be honest, caring, and dedicated adults fully committed to following Christ’s example while he was on Earth. Spread the faith, be a Christian (seed) of action and deeds, not simply words.

Prayer: Father, help us all to be sowers of Your word and to use that harvest for good. May we be committed to study Your word and understand what we are to do. Amen.

Contributed by Darrel Charlton