Mark 4:1-20
Q .1. What was Jesus doing in the boat? What parable did He teach them? Why did Jesus teach in parables? In what way were His disciples privileged? How is this true of us? – (Mk.4:1-12)
The large crowd following Jesus made it necessary for Him to teach from a boat. Much of His teaching was in parables … ‘earthly stories with a heavenly meaning’ (Mk.4:1-2). His first parable involved a Sower, seed, and soils. This is generally known as the Parable of the Sower. However, the variables were in the soils where the seed was sown (M.4:3). Some – 4 … seed fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Other seed fell on the rocky ground where it did not have much soil … 6 And after the sun had risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. 7 Other seed fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked it, and it yielded no crop. 8 Other seeds fell into the good soil (Mk.4:4-8). This soil was productive. Jesus usually punctuated each parable with the words – He who has ears to hear, let him hear (Mk.4:9, 23). It is possible to have ears and to not hear. It was to His followers that Jesus explained – 11 … To you has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God, but those who are outside get everything in parables, 12 so that while seeing, they may see and not perceive, and while hearing, they may hear and not understand, otherwise they might return and be forgiven (Mk.4:11-12). Jesus’ followers need to perceive and understand, so that they may be forgiven. Everyone has access to the Truth by observing Creation, and some hear the Gospel. That is a special blessing.
Q.2. How is Christ’s explanation a key to understanding other parables? What was different about each of the soils? What is the only acceptable response to the truth? – (Mk.4:13-20; Rev.14:12)
Parables are a peculiar form of communication and revelation. Once the keys are explained, then all the parables are opened up to us (Mk.4:13). When you understand the Parable of the Sower, all the other parables begin to make sense. Of all the soils, only one out of four actually bore fruit. This agrees with the teaching of Jesus that only a FEW will walk the narrow road to life, and MANY will walk the broad road to destruction. This is an important truth in ministry. The Sower sows seed that equates to the Word of God (Mk.4:14). The seed sown by the roadside is unable to produce fruit, because it is immediately snatched away by Satan (Mk.4:15). The seed sown in rocky places is unable to produce fruit, because the hard ground prevents it from sending down deep, strong roots. It is then unable to survive difficult times when – affliction or persecution arises (Mk.4:17). The seed sown among thorns is unable to produce fruit, because any budding plant becomes entangled and destroyed by the worries of this world, the deceitful appeal of riches, and other distractions (Mk.4:19). Only the good soil bears fruit abundantly, because – they hear the word and accept it (Mk.4:20). John told us essentially the same, when he wrote – Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus (Rev.14:12). The Word of God written by the Holy Spirit is crucial to our new life in Christ.