Mark 4:1-20 The Parable of the Sower and the Souls

Most of us have some familiarity with this agricultural-based parable.
In summary it conveys that seeds will only grow and ultimately bear fruit where there is adequate depth of soil. For me, there is a troubling aspect of this parable. It is troublesome because after Jesus taught it to “a very great multitude”, He suggests that that same multitude were outsiders who only “get everything in parables in order that while…hearing they may not hear and understand lest they return and be forgiven”. Yet to a select group he says, “to you has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God”.

The natural question is, “So then, is my depth of soil even a matter of my choice? Have I been predestined as a sandy soil that will only grow stickers or am I a more blessed rich,  black-topsoil type of guy that is going to produce a 30, 60 or even 90 fold crop?”. I think I did once view the soil of my soul as shallow because it did seem to produce its share of stickers. In that season there would have been some temptation when reading this passage to throw up my hands and conclude, “well, I am just an outsider- part of that great multitude of sinners, fated with a deplorable wicked heart capable only of sticker crops.

Jesus adds some interesting commentary within this parable. In verse 13, He says, “Do you not understand this parable? And how will you understand all the parables?”. In about half the translations I looked at, the word “any” is used instead of “all“, implying that something about this parable makes it a sort of key to understanding the rest of Jesus’ parables. I can’t claim to know for certain what attribute of this story might be the key but I will offer the thing that stand out to me (probably because of experience).

I really do not waste any time (as I once did) pondering the negative possible implications of predestination on the soil of my soul. There are two things that I know are true about my heart. 1) It was once predominantly a fallen heart inclined to sin. This aspect of my life was buried and raised from the dead in Christ. I was a “sinner” (past tense). I am now a “saint”. This is my new identity. In Christ, I have a brand new heart that leans toward God. If I sin now (as a saint), it should not reinforce the idea that all I am is just a sinner saved by grace. It only proves that an old nature conditioned for years by the world, the flesh and the devil is still deteriorating and dying away.

In verse 24 Jesus goes on to say, “Take care what you listen to. By your standard of measure it shall be measured to you; and more shall be given to you besides. For whoever has, to Him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him“. I believe Jesus is saying we have some say about what we choose to listen to; which in turn effects the type of soil we are; which in turn effects what kind of return God will see from our lives.

The Blue Book network is hopefully enjoying some improvement in the things we are listening to and even how we listen. The writings in the Blue Book this week are rich. I hope you enjoy them. By the way, how do you assess the soil of your own soil?

Father, let our hearts grasp what excellent soil types we are with Christ in us. Help us to envision the 90-fold return. Help us to do all in our power to insure Your eternal words find their rightful place in our hearts and do not return to You void. Let Your Word sovereignly accomplish all that He was sent to accomplish in our hearts. Amen.

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