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Mark 4:1-20 The Parable of the Sower

This is a famous parable of Jesus - the parable of the sower. Here Jesus tells the people of a sower, who sowed his seed on all kinds of ground. Some fell on the path, some fell on rocky ground, some fell among thorns, and others fell on good soil.

I don't think there's much to elaborate. The Word of God is given to all men - but we are the soil. The seed is sown in us - whether it grows is up to us. I believe if we truly want it to grow, it will. We control the soil we are - no one who goes to the Father is rejected.

What catches my eye in this passage is in verses 11-12. Jesus tells His disciples - that to them has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, so that they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven.

Firstly, Jesus reveals that the parables are not simply stories He tells - they contain the secret of the kingdom of God for those who are discerning.

What is disturbing is the second half - it seems as if God does not want them forgiven. Now, doesn't that contradict what Jesus came for - to save all men?

The problem here is that Mark only recorded part of Jesus's words. Turn to Matthew 13:14-15. It is the exact same story. It is not that God does not want to give them the chance to turn. They have already rejected Him. "This people" from that passage specifically refers to the people of Israel, who God has given ample chances. Jesus tells them their hearts have already grown dull - and they will not respond to His word.

He ends with this statement in Mark - "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

Don't we all have ears, given by God? Pray to hear His word, and to glorify Him in our bodies. It is too easy for us today to let it pass us, taking it for granted.
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