Mark 4 reminds me of planting my little backyard garden. I have the ability to decide what I plant, when I plant, and how thoroughly I prepare the soil. Today’s chapter offers insights into the human heart. We read, “The crowd that gathered around Him was so large that He got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore”. The natural amphitheater allowed all to hear that wanted to hear. And “He taught them many things by parables”. He spoke to be understood; He excluded no one and He spoke to anyone that came. He began, “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed”. This familiar parable is about the readiness of the hearer. We are not always able to hear God’s Word. “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear”. Jesus explained the parables to the twelve, “The farmer sows the word” but not all are ready to receive it. Some have been beaten down and trampled and they have developed a hard heart, “As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away”. Some are chipped and broken and will grasp hold of any help. They “hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time… they quickly fall away”. Others are overwhelmed with burdens, so “the worries of this life… choke the word, making it unfruitful”. Finally, some others are in a place of readiness, they “hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop”. Please understand this can describe the same person at different seasons in life. The seed is always good, but the heart is not always ready to allow it to take root.
Jesus spoke briefly to the believer. None of us are immune to discouragement or self-doubt; those are the times when we tend to stop seeing the needs around us. Jesus asked, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl?” When we hide the light that is in us, we cover up the flicker of hope from those around us that are in need. At the same time, we cannot see beyond ourselves, so our focus turns inward. That is when we cannot see the pain in others. “Instead… put it on its stand”. Imperfect love is far more desirable than hopelessness. How do we guard against becoming self-centered? “Consider carefully what you hear”. Soil preparation takes time. The dead leaves of fall can provide nourishment in spring. He adds, “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you”. The real fun in gardening is sharing what is produced with others.
The chapter continues with more gardening lessons for life. The most miraculous event is the germination. We plant a dry dead seed, and in a week, new life begins to emerge. “A man scatters seed on the ground…. whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain”. After that comes the harvest. Sadly, whatever seeds we plant can grow. Everything we watch, see and hear can grow into thoughts and behaviors. Jesus mentions the mustard seed, “which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants”. Hearer, beware anyone that scatters division, blame and disrespect. The chapter closes with a storm. The disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee when “A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped”. The disciples woke Jesus crying, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” Jesus spoke to the storm, “Quiet! Be still!” and “and it was completely calm”. He asked, “Do you still have no faith?” The disciples asked the right question, “Who is this?” Friend, is it time to listen to the wisdom of God’s Word? I pray that your heart has been prepared for this season. New life can emerge pretty quickly. What will you harvest?