Mark 4:1-20: The Parable of the Sower
This is my humble commentary of the “Parable of the Sower (see also Matthew 13:1-23).
This parable begins with, “Behold, a sower went out to sow," and Jesus interprets this as, "The sower sows the word.” The sower may be a preacher that teaches people the Word of the Lord, or it could even be the Lord who gives us the wisdom. Remember, in Jesus’ time, He was the people’s teacher, the Living Word of God, as the New Testament had yet to be written! Either way you view it, the only way to have the Word sown in your heart is to read (or listen to) the Bible. Having a preacher teach it is a great start but studying on your own and discovering what the Bible really says is always best as many ministers preach messages simply to tickle the ears of their congregation in order to get a bigger offering. I always insist that none of my readers take my words for granted. Do your own research. Read the Bible daily and study all you read and pray for God’s clarity to reveal the Truth of His holy words.
Some seed falls by the wayside; and the birds devour it. Another term for wayside is edge, so you may consider this the seed that plants itself only around the edges of your heart and does not work its way into the heart or mind. Jesus tells the multitude that birds devour the seed but tells his disciples that the birds represent Satan. Satan uses television, movies, social media, video games, sports, vanity, hobbies, and other people to keep us from studying the Word so that one never takes the time to cultivate the seed planted. In a sense, all one is taught of the ways of holiness are devoured as they are forgotten and pushed aside for the pleasures of the world.
The seed that falls on stony ground springs up quickly as if one has accepted what they heard, and it begins to affect their way of thinking. However, because the soil in their heart is stony, you may easily interpret this as hard-hearted. The heart does not have much earth because the person is shallow and does not choose to dig deeper into the Word of God and takes everything someone else claims to be the truth as truth. This person really is a surface-only believer and is not on fire for the things of the Lord. This is most likely why, when the sun scorches the seed, it withers as it has no roots. Jesus says these people immediately stumble when faced by trials.
Fear may be the opposite of faith, but do not let anyone tell you it is a sin. Afterall, Jesus was so afraid of his upcoming crucifixion that he sweat blood (See Luke 22:44), and we all know Jesus was sinless. So being afraid of life’s trials is acceptable, but we need to remember to do as Jesus did when he was terrified, pray to our Heavenly father for strength.
The thorns that choke the seed are not just the cares of the world that we choose to put above our Lord, but also the pleasures of the world we place as idols above the Lord. Those that let the Word of the Lord be choked out, put everyone and everything else above time with Jesus. The Bible, praying, and praise get placed on the back burner so one can watch television, play/socialize on the computer, go shopping, eat, exercise, work, spend time with friends, etc. When we are not daily grounded in God’s promises, all the noise of the world chokes out God’s Truths. I prefer the words of Jesus Christ over anything in the Bible, but when I am down, my next choice would be the Psalms. In my devotional time this morning, I was reminded of Psalm 23 not only while I was reading the passage in my devotional, but also two songs came on my Kindle that were the words to Psalm 23 (it was on shuffle mode)! That was no coincidence, especially since I have been dwelling on this same Psalm for several days now. God wanted to remind me that He is my Good Shepherd, and I do not need to fear even in the scariest of valleys. Surely, His goodness and mercy are my strength. If I did not allow myself to dwell in scripture and feel very comforted by the words, my seeds could have been choked out by worry.
Jesus says the ones who let their seeds be choked out stumble and become unfruitful. Yes, Christians can stumble and backslide, and even fully turn away and lose their salvation. However, when one repents, and ONLY when one repents, the Lord will take his prodigal child back (see Luke 15:1-31). Revelation 2:5 reminds us, “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place--unless you repent.” When we repent, Jesus will take us back! So, even if we stumble, there is hope that our loving Father is quick to forgive the humble heart that asks for forgiveness.
As I just mentioned above, well, as Jesus mentions, when one allows his seed to be choked out, he becomes unfruitful. What are the unfruitful works of the flesh listed in Galatians 5:19-21 - Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Pay close attention to that list, it is a good reminder that when we fail to let God’s Word seep into the soil of our hearts, one is bound to pursue ungodly actions. One more note (off the subject a bit, but I feel God wants me to remind you of this), notice the word “sorcery” up there? Please, if you must watch movies or television, let go of watching all programs (and books) that glorify witchcraft, and therefore open the doors wide for Satan's influence in your life. Notice also that habitual sins of the above will shut you out of the Kingdom of God. Repentance of sins and discarding unholy ways are keys to having God’s seeds firmly planted in your heart and being fruitful.
Now, let’s go to the end of this parable and see that one who allows the seeds of God’s Word to become firmly planted will produce fruit in various levels. These seeds are sown in good ground. This means one who is open and receptive to the things of the Lord. One who is humble enough to admit wrong-doing and work at fleeing from a sinful lifestyle. One who is willing to be taught and eagerly sits at the feet of Jesus waiting to learn something new every day. One who is not going to let the cares of a fallen world take away their love for their Heavenly Father. No one is perfect, of course, we all make mistakes and do wrong things. We all have fear and doubt. But the answer lies in clinging to the seeds planted in your heart. And clinging even more so to the Author of the Words. Let Jesus be your comfort, your corrector, and your hope. When you allow God to take control of your life, it will be much easier to produce good fruit. listed in Galatians 5:22-26 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
People tend to leave out the part that says we must live in the Spirit and crucify our flesh. Even these verses in Galatians (as well as in the above verses) show that grace is free, but sins are not automatically forgiven unless we repent. 1 John 1:9 says, IF WE CONFESS our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
We must put aside the unfruitful traits and pursue the fruits of the spirit. Only then will the seeds in our hearts flourish and grow beautiful fruits. Fruits that can feed and nurture others.
(Mark 4:1-20) And again He began to teach by the sea. And a great multitude was gathered to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat in it on the sea; and the whole multitude was on the land facing the sea. Then He taught them many things by parables, and said to them in His teaching: "Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. And it happened, as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds of the air came and devoured it. Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much earth; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away. And some seed fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no crop. But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred."
And He said to them, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" But when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parable.
And He said to them, "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.' "And He said to them, "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."
