4Soils

4Soils-Parable

Mark 4: 1 – 20 (ESV)– The Parable of the Sower

4 Again he began to teach beside the sea. And a very large crowd gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat in it on the sea, and the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land. ² And he was teaching them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them: ³ “Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. ⁴ And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. ⁵ Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and immediately it sprang up, since it had no depth of soil. ⁶ And when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away. ⁷ Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. ⁸ And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.” ⁹ And he said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

The Purpose of the Parables

¹⁰ And when he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables. ¹¹ And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, ¹² so that “they may indeed see but not perceive,  and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven.”

¹³ And he said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? ¹⁴ The sower sows the word. ¹⁵ And these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them. ¹⁶ And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: the ones who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy. ¹⁷ And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away. ¹⁸ And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, ¹⁹ but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. ²⁰ But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.”

As you read the Bible account, look at this illustration……

This parable was given to the crowds while speaking from an anchored ship.  He starts with “Listen” to get their attention.  Most there was interested in seeking their own gain as to touch Him and be healed.  Knowing that they were not seeking spiritual understand he spoke in parables to them so that only those with open hearts would understand.   He uses words as “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” (Mark 4:9).  Even if all would hear the words, only a few would hear and understand what Jesus was saying because in order to understand the truth of God’s word one has to be given that knowledge by the Holy Spirit.  In another words, God chooses to whom He will allow to know Him by searching their heart and seeing if they are ready or desirous of knowing Him.

In those days a farmer would sow his seed by hand and they understood that the harvest increase was dependent on the condition of the soil.   In that day they would walk across the field with a large bag slung across their shoulders and throw handfuls of seed onto the ground.  By this manner of planting the plants would not grow in neat rows as today might occur.  No matter the skill of the farmer some seed would fall by the wayside and be scattered among rocks and thorns, or be carried off by the wind.  Thus the farmer would throw a liberal amount of seed so enough would fall on good ground to ensure the harvest.

It stated that some of the seeds fell “by the wayside” or beside the road that would be hard and compacted soil of the road and it would be impossible for the seed to penetrate.  With the seed on top it would temp the birds of the air that came and devoured the seeds.  In verse 15 we learn that the phrase “birds of the air” represent Satan.

When the seed would fall on the rocky places there would be little soil to provide for the seed(s) to grow.  Therefore, the seed ‘sprang up quickly’ in the shallow soil.  In this rocky soil there would be layers of limestone and other rock substance that traps moisture so the plant grew quickly, but the sun quickly dried it up.  It states:  “And when the sun rose, it was scorched; and since it had no root, it withered away.”…”when the sun rose, it was scorched and it withered away.”

In verse 7 “And some seed fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no crop.”   Even if the farmer would not intentionally scatter seeds in that area willed with thorns and briers it may well be that some seeds fell among the roots of thorns that cultivation had not destroyed.  The nutrition, water, light and space would be used by the thorns and they would not allow the good seed to grow or if so strong enough to produce any crop.

Verse 8 – “Still other seed fell on good soil.  It came up, grew and produced a crop, multiplying thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times.”    Some landed in plowed and readied soil.  This soil had a depth, space, and moisture to grow and produce a crop.  It grew and yielded 30-60 times the amount of seed thrown.  It would mean plenty to eat and enough to have seeds to plant next year.  Jesus pointed out that listening makes fertile soil.  Therefore, if we bear fruit it is proof that we have listened.  When fruit occurs that it means the truth has taken root in their heart.

In versus 10 – 20 Jesus goes on to tell of the purpose and to explain the parable of the four soils.

Mark 4:10-20

The Purpose of the Parables  (ESV)

¹⁰ And when he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables. ¹¹ And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, ¹² so that “they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven.”

¹³ And he said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? ¹⁴ The sower sows the word. ¹⁵ And these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them. ¹⁶ And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: the ones who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy. ¹⁷ And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away. ¹⁸ And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, ¹⁹ but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. ²⁰ But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.”

V.14+ – What the farmer is sowing is the “word”.  It is the ‘truths’ (words) of the Bible that are being spoken via voice or written print. The people’s reaction to the ‘word of God’ is according to their soil type.   We ask ourselves what kind of soil are we an example of.  What kind of soil type do we want to be?  Better yet, what can I do to cultivate myself (soil) to  be ready to accept the Word of God?

We need to weed out the thorn patches in our lives.  Three possible thrones of today might be:

1.      Worries of this life. Society says, “Take care of yourself; no one else will.”

2.      Deceitfulness of wealth. Society says, “Wealth brings security, power, and happiness.”

3.      Desires for other things. Society says, “Indulge yourself; try it all; get all you can.”

V. 18-19 – would be an illustration of those that let the worries of this life choke out the word. 

V. 20 – Illustrates those that have readied their soil and show that they have an open heart and mind to listening to God’s Word.  They take in the spiritual knowledge and go forth and produce a praise to their God in worship and obedience to his instruction.

Following are various quotes from “Life Application Commentary” that are things to think about as we apply this to our lives today.  Each one show the applicable verse to the thought-provoking paragraph. 

SOW ’N’ SOWS  (verse 8)

This parable should encourage spiritual “sowers”—those who teach, preach, and lead others. The farmer sowed good seed, but not all the seed sprouted, and even the plants that grew had varying yields. Don’t be discouraged if you do not always see results as you faithfully teach the Word. Conversion results cannot be forced to follow a mathematical formula (for example, a four-to-one ratio of seeds planted to seeds sprouted). Rather, it is a miracle of God’s Holy Spirit as he uses your words to lead others to him. Productivity is in God’s hands. Trust him and do your work.

OPEN YOUR EARS!  (verse 9)

The hearing Jesus wants from us is not the kind we use to listen to background radio music or when someone starts to recount a long story we’ve already heard. To hear Jesus’ words is to believe them, to use them immediately in decisions and attitudes, and to base life on them—our recreation and work, family plans and money matters, schooling and voting, praying and singing. To hear Jesus’ words is to make Jesus our true Lord. What is Jesus saying to you?

WHO’S READY?  (verse 11)

Some people do not understand God’s truth because they are not ready for it. God reveals truth to people who will act on it, who will make it visible in their lives. When you talk with people about God, be aware that they will not understand if they are not ready. Be patient, taking every chance to tell them more of the truth about God and praying that the Holy Spirit will open their mind and heart to receive the truth and act on it.

HEAR AND OBEY (verse 12)

The parables explained many truths about the kingdom (4:2) to those who, with God’s help, heard and understood. But for the Pharisees and the unbelieving crowd, the parables would remain vague and unclear, a penalty for their self-imposed blindness. This does not mean that all the people would be excluded forever from God’s kingdom. Rather, it means that the mystery of the kingdom would remain hidden as long as they stubbornly rejected the truth. Stubborn refusal to believe eventually leads to inability to believe. We must be willing to both hear and obey. What area in your life does God want you to change? How are you going to obey God in this area?

IT’S THE TRUTH  (verse 12)

In the Bible, discovering truth always requires faith. The absence of faith puts us outside the reach of God’s truth. God’s Word never sounds like a scientific experiment, where the rule is test and retest until you’re sure nothing else works. God’s Word always sounds like a loving father saying, “Believe this, and follow this way!” When we trust and then obey God’s Word, we come to know how true it is. Do what God says because you know his way is best. God can be trusted.

THE HARDENED PATH  (verse 14)

A pathway was a hardened surface trampled down and compacted by heavy traffic. It characterizes the hardened or unprepared heart. Nothing sinks in. These people pay no attention to sermons they hear. Even more probable, they are totally insensitive to any messages about God or spiritual truth. Jesus explained why others may be unresponsive: They are hardened. But we must keep our heart prepared and open to receive his will.

DROWNING IN SHALLOWS  (verse 15)

Some new followers get excited about Jesus. They may attend a concert, festival, or special meeting. They are temporarily very enthusiastic, and they feel great happiness and joy. But it may be merely an emotional response. At that point, their faith is shallow, vulnerable, and unstable. Their faith hasn’t taken root in their minds, attitudes, or behavior. When conflicts come, they get burned up. This explains why some professing followers fall away. It also reminds mature Christians to support new believers, to re-explain the way of salvation, to get them into Bible study, to include them in groups that will pray for them and guide them through their conflicts. Evangelism is not enough if it stops short of making disciples. Evangelism requires follow-through care. Every new convert should be anchored in Christ. We should never take for granted that a confession of faith means actual conversion. We must help new faith to persevere and mature.

SEED AND SOIL  (verse 18-19)

“Wayside” people, like many of the religious leaders, refuse to believe God’s message. “Rocky soil” people, like many in the crowds who followed Jesus, believe his message but never get around to doing anything about it. “Thorn patch” people, overcome by worries and the lure of materialism, leave no room in their lives for God. “Good soil” people, in contrast to all the other groups, follow Jesus no matter what the cost. They listen, obey, and follow through on what he says. Which type of soil are you? What do you need to do to become good soil?

OPEN OR CLOSED (verse 20)

The four soils represent four different ways people respond to God’s message. While Jesus was talking about four different kinds of hearts and each’s readiness to receive the gospel, his words could also apply to us in two other ways: (1) different times or phases in our lives; (2) how we willingly receive God’s message in some areas of our lives and resist it in others.

For example, you may be open to God about your future, but closed concerning how you spend your money. You may respond like good soil to God’s demand for worship, but be like rocky soil with regard to helping people in need. Strive to be like good soil in every area of your life at all times.