It’s almost midnight, and I’m struggling to sleep. A rarity for me. I’m usually out before the lights go out. But I have a heavy heart tonight. I’m not only struggling to sleep, there are some things that I struggle to understand.
People without Ears to Hear
Mark 4:1-41 KJV
[1] And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land. [2] And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine, [3] Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: [4] And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. [5] And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: [6] But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. [7] And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. [8] And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred. [9] And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
There was a multitude of people listening to God Himself. Can you imagine. Sitting on the banks of the sea while God shares His heart with you. But He has to do it in a way that He might “sneak” the word of God into their hearts. So He’s teaching by parables. A story that has a hidden lesson, because they can’t handle the bold truth.
Are we not living in those days again? People cannot handle the truth, even good people. They’d rather be told stories that skirt around the truth, rather than just hear it straight. So Jesus tells them the story of the farmer. But they don’t understand it, because they’re not in a spiritual mindset. And such is the case with many churches today l fear.
Am I judging? No, because that’s God’s job. But I’m witnessing Christians outside of their churches without so much as one seed to sow. They have nothing to say about the salvation of Christ. And then I stress.
People desiring to Hear
[10] And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. [11] And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: [12] That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. [13] And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables? [14] The sower soweth the word. [15] And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. [16] And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; [17] And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended. [18] And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, [19] And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
So Christ explains the parable to those with a desire to learn. Both the people and the disciples asked Christ to explain the parable of the sower and the seeds, and so He does, telling them “Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God:” The first time the word mystery is used in scripture. But not the last! The mystery of the life giving seeds being sown was the salvation of Christ and the promise of everlasting life. But those who left, not wanting to understand more, didn’t know the mystery; but rather were likely following him to see another miracle. Again, mirroring the world today. The churches that are filled with hype, and feel good messages are also full of people. But a church that is founded on the truth of God and believes in a life mirroring that, will likely be few in number.
Biblically Correct People
[20] And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.
“These are they,” the ones who go beyond just seeking to understand, but to take what they understand and share it with others. You don’t plant a garden inside your home and you don’t plant a church inside the church house. It is unfortunate that the world we live in is a rejecting, God denying and angry society that is offended by anything of faith, but it still does not mean we are not to share the gospel with them. There’s plenty of Stoney ground and thorns that will rise up and choke out the messages we share. But like my skimpy little garden, there’s some good ground that’s growing watermelon and cantelope that have blooms and evidence of future potential because the ground is good. It is watered and cared for. I desire to grow the Kingdom of God in the same manner.
Am I always successful. Oh heavens no. I fail miserably. But I’m still doing what I can. I pray you are in a church and a position in life to understand for Whom you were created!
Colossians 3:10 KJV
[10] And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
Glory to God!!! I have once again written myself happy! The mysteries, This one and 21 others are meant for you to understand. The Spirit will guide us through this crazy world to a new land, one that is filled with His goodness, and the world we know will be gone forever. I pray you know Christ and understand this message. If not… let me hear from you! ~ Shari
