Mark 4:3-9

Passage

In this passage we get one of the most famous parables.  We hear about four types of soils.  The first type is the path.  Birds came out and devoured any of the seed that fell upon the path.  Other seed fell among the rocky ground and its roots could not penetrate deeply into the soil.  When the sun came out against these plants, they merely withered.  Still other seed fell among ground that had thorn bushes in it and the thorn bushes choked out the plants.  Finally, some seeds fall among the good soil.  These seeds grow up and produce varying levels of crop.  But they seeds in the good soil all produce.  Jesus ended by telling the people that if they had an ear, then they should hear Him.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

 We’re going to tackle the meaning of the parable over the next few days.  So you’ll have to be patient.  Instead of talking about the meaning today, lets actually talk a little about what Jesus is up to.  Here is a story about something that just about ever Hebrew person would understand.  Jesus talks about planting.  Even people in the city would understand planting crops.  Jesus uses what the people can understand to teach about things that are more complex.  {Don’t confuse this with teaching so that people will understand Him.  We’ll get to that tomorrow.}

Why would Jesus talk about things to which the people could relate?  Do you prefer teachers who can always bring the teaching onto a level that you can understand?

Second Thought:

Jesus teaches about difference.  There are four types of soil.  There are different consequences for each of the seed that falls upon each of the soil.  Life is full of many opportunities and many choices.  Life has many turns of consequence.  Sometimes one consequence will lead to another consequence.  We can see here that Jesus is not afraid to tackle diversity.  Jesus can speak about multiple opportunities and multiple possibilities within the same teaching.  He can teach about multiple levels at the same time.  With Jesus, it is not always either/or.  Jesus understands that life is or/or/or/or/or/ … well, you get the idea.

Can you see here how Jesus is diversifying the story by making it about several types of soil?  What is the advantage with using multiple points within the same story?

Third Thought:

As we move into the understanding of this parable, let’s not forget the context.  Jesus taught this parable when there was a great crowd around Him.  Jesus taught this particular teaching not only when there were plenty of people to hear, but when there were plenty of subjects of His teaching.  Jesus is well aware of the level of faith and the level of commitment – or lack thereof – that these people have come to offer.

Why is it important to consider the context when we consider a particular teaching?  Why is it easy to overlook the context and move straight into the teaching?

Passage for Tomorrow: Mark 4:10-13