MARK 4
Mark 4 is full of farming parables. These may not mean as much to us in modern culture, but for his followers, farming was a part of life. Three stories in this chapter illustrate different aspects of the gospel.
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Verses 1-20 tell us about seeds with four different landing spots. Some seeds fall on a path and are eaten by birds. Some fall on the rocky soil and burn up. Some seeds get strangled by weeds. The last group fall on good ground and grow to be massive, healthy crops. We have a responsibility to sow the seed of the gospel wherever we go, but the results are up to the Lord. We can look to sow in fertile soil by cultivating relationships, showing the love of Christ, and reflecting God’s goodness to others. Ultimately, the Holy Spirit does the work of convicting and calling people to God. What is our responsibility in sowing the gospel in our communities? What are “my seeds” that I can plant in others’ lives?
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“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek.” – Romans 1:16
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The second parable is found in verses 26-29. Jesus paints the picture of the farmer who faithfully tends to his planted crop. The farmer plants and harvests, but it is the soil that nourishes and grows the crop. In the same way, we can plant the seeds of the gospel and be part of the harvest when people follow Christ. The Spirit does the work of growing the message, calling the sinner to repentance, and saving the lost. Do I trust God to save the lost? Who can I pray for that may have heard the message but is still far from God?
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“He saved us—not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy—through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” – Titus 3:5
3. The last parable is found in verses 30-32. Jesus tells of the seeds of the kingdom being like a mustard seed. Although the seeds are small, the mustard plant becomes a massive plant so large that birds can perch in its shade. It is easy to think of our work for the Lord as small or insignificant. The message of the gospel and the work of a small group of disciples has literally changed the world. The church today is not the product of a powerful communicator that convinced the world to change their minds. The process of the growth of the global church was a product of the Holy Spirit working through the hands and feet of millions of people over two thousand years of daily small efforts for the gospel. We will not know, this side of eternity, how our efforts have been used by the Lord for the growth of his kingdom. What small things can I do today to be of use for the gospel? Who needs my help today?
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“Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us.” – 2 Corinthians 4:7
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Life Application:
We are not called to change the world by ourselves today. We don’t all have to be Billy Graham. This week, take a moment to examine the people around you and their needs. God may be calling you to do small things to grow his great kingdom.
For Prayer:
Pray for those in the foster and adoption world. From workers to children to adoptive and foster families, there are great joys and pains. Pray that God would mend the hurting hearts and grow the families he has put together.