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Mark 4 - Parable of the Seed
Mark 4 - Parable of the Seed
Mark introduces us to the main teaching method of Jesus – parables.
They involve the hearer, making him draw the conclusion/lesson. Such is an active involvement in the learning process. Most of them are not interpreted for us, as they were NOT so interpreted for the original hearers ( vs. 10-12, 33-34). [see below]
The parable of the soils (more often labeled ‘the sower’), prepares the apostles for their work. In the preaching of the word of God (the seed), it can be frustrating and even disheartening to have negative responses!
The problem COULD be the teacher, but even Jesus ‘failed’ from this perspective as many hearers rejected Him and his teaching. Jesus here identifies the different responses as a difference in the hearts of hearers, the opposition even by our spiritual adversary, the lure of the world.
An interesting aspect of this is that the ‘soil’ CAN BE CHANGED. Often the word itself is the catalyst for such change of heart! Remember Acts 2 and the first sermon where they were ‘pricked in their heart’. “YOU denied and killed’ to ‘what can we do?’ and ‘as many as received the word were baptized’.
Rather than becoming discouraged, we need to have confidence in the seed! Let it do its work -AFTER you have presented its message. We are not responsible for their change of heart but for proclaiming the message. This is why I usually refer to this ‘1st parable’ as the parable of the soils rather than the sower. The result, ‘they went everywhere preaching the word. Let us do the same .
Hugh DeLong
Mark 4:10-12 10 As soon as He was alone, His followers, along with the twelve, began asking Him about the parables. 11 And He was saying to them, "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."
Mark 4:33-34 33 With many such parables He was speaking the word to them, so far as they were able to hear it; 34 and He did not speak to them without a parable; but He was explaining everything privately to His own disciples.
