Read Mark 14:1-20.
I see this parable from two perspectives. (1) The sower casts seed out. The sowers does not judge the soil first. The sower just casts seed. The seed lands in different types of soil. (2) The other perspective being what happens to the seed based on the type of soil it lands in.
Simple Application: (1) We should not live our life constantly trying to judge which type of soil the people around us are and only cast seed on the good soil. Rather, we should live our life in a way that we are continually casting seed upon all those around us and consequently the seed is going to fall in all different types of soil. (2) We must examine ourselves and seek to be good soil. Hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit continually.
Consider the following three passages in this regard: 2 Peter 1:5-8; Matthew 25:14-30, 34-46.
REMINDER SUMMARY: As we have seen in Mark 1-3, Jesus has already attracted a lot of negative attention. He has been challenged by the authorities about forgiving sins, his attitude toward the Sabbath, and feasting with sinners. His family has said he is out of his mind and religious leaders have said he is possessed by Satan.
Now look at Mark 4:11-12 based on this context. Why might Jesus want to make his teaching a challenge to understand?
Consider that the peoples expectation for the way God would reveal His kingdom and the type of impact it would have on the world and the way Jesus was actually doing it was completely different.
What preconceptions about how God is supposed to work today might actually prevent us from drawing near to God and recognizing the work of His hands?
Read Mark 4:21-34.
What are the promise and the warning found in verses 21-25?
How do these continue themes that are found in verses 1-20?
Verse 25 (ESV) “For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”
Matthew 7:2 (ESV) “For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.”
These passages give much to thought, including a Shakespeare play (Measure for Measure), about the meaning of justice. What is Jesus teaching His followers in these two verses?
What’s the significance of the farmer sowing seed and not knowing how it grows in relation to the coming of God’s kingdom (verses 26-29)?
Though Jesus’ ministry in Galilee doesn’t look like the kingdom movement that people were expecting, it was, in fact, the seedtime for God’s long-promised and long-awaited harvest. When Jesus asks, “What shall we say God’s kingdom is like?” He echoes the words of Isaiah (40:18) when he asked a similar question about God Himself: “To what will you liken God, or what likeness compare with Him?”
What aspect of God’s kingdom does the mustard seed parable emphasize (verses 30-32)?
Other Old Testament echoes: the birds of the air make their nests in its shade. Ezekiel and Daniel both use this as an image of a great kingdom, growing like a tree until those around can shelter under it (Ezekiel 17:23; 31:6; Daniel 4:12, 21).
THINK ON THIS: Jesus was glad to let people listen openly and be curious about what He was saying. He was glad to let listeners ask for more and go more deeply, as is suggested in Mark 4:10-11. Sometimes we feel the pressure, the inclination to explain the whole gospel ALL AT ONCE to people. Instead, consider how we can better help them become curious and be motivated to go more deeply into what Jesus is all about.
Trent Dean
dean008@gmail.com