SCRIPTURE: MARK 4
THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER (vs. 1-20)
Jesus taught this parable to the people:
A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places without much soil. It spray up quickly but the soil was shallow. When the sun came up, the plants were scorched and they withered because they had no root. Other seeds fell among the thorns, which grew up and choked the plants., so that they did not bear grain. Still other seeds fell on good soil. It cam up, grew and produced a crop, multiplying thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times.
Meaning of the parable:
The farmer sows the word. Some people are like seed along the path, were the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have nor root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word, but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other thins come in and choke the words, making it unfruitful. Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, ands produce a crop – thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown.
A LAMP ON A STAND (vs. 21-25)
Jesus said: “A lamp should not be put under a bowl or a beds. Instead it should be put on its stand. For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open.” He continued: “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you – and even more. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.” (vs. 21-25)
THE PARABLE OF THE GROWING SEED (vs. 26-29)
The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade.
JESUS CALMS THE STORM (vs. 35–41)
When evening came, Jesus and his disciples left the crowd and took a boat. Then a furious squall came up and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. But Jesus was sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him up and said: “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” (v. 28). Jesus got u8p, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet,! Be still!” (v. 39). Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. Jesus said to his disciples: “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (v. 40) They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey Him!” (v. 41)
THOUGHTS:
Jesus taught the people by telling stories called parables to convey spiritual truths. The Parable of the Sower represents four different ways people respond to God’s message. Our response will depend upon different times or phases in our life. For example, we may respond like good soil about worship but like rocky soil to his demand to give to people in need and like thorny soil to our materialist pursuit. Strive to be like good soil in every area of our life at all times.
The purpose of having lamp is to help people see. A lamp that does not shine is useless. As believers, we should live for Christ so that the unbelievers can see our good testimonies. Do not let complacency, resentment, stubbornness of heart or disobedience keep us from shinning in this world.
“Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him” teaches us to be responsible to use well what we have. How much we have is not as important as what we do with it.
The Parable of the Growing Seed shows the certain growth of a plant. It reveals that spiritual growth is a continual and gradual process until the harvest of spiritual maturity.
The Parable of the Mustard Seed explains that Christianity had a very small beginnings. But it would grow into a worldwide community of believers as God is building a worldwide Kingdom. The faithful followers can join together to accomplish great things.
When the physical storm occurred, Jesus was sleeping in a boat. Most of His disciples were fishermen but they became panicked. When they woke Jesus up, he calmed down the storm. Storm in life comes in many forms that causes anxiety and fear. But you have two options to choose. You can worry and panic or you can resist fear and put your complete trust in Jesus.