The Living LIfe - January 13, 2009

Planting on Fertile Soil Mark 4:13~25
13	Then Jesus said to them, "Don't you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable?
14	The farmer sows the word.
15	Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.
16	Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy.
17	But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.
18	Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word;
19	but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.
20	Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop--thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown."
21	He said to them, "Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don't you put it on its stand?
22	For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open.
23	If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear."
24	"Consider carefully what you hear," he continued. "With the measure you use, it will be measured to you--and even more.
25	Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him."
The Explanation (4:13-20) In today’s passage, Jesus explains to His disciples, the parable that was told in yesterday’s passage. The four soils represent the four different responses to God’s message. The first three soils have one thing in common—the seed was unable to grow in them, due to a variety of reasons. As a pastor, every Sunday, when I look out at my congregation, I see a mixed group of people. There are those who fervently take notes, nodding at each significant point, and even whispering an occasional “Amen” with a blessed remark. Then there are those who are looking outside the window, talking with their spouse, or altogether have fallen asleep. I want to encourage you to come to church with a holy expectation that God is going to meet you where you’re at and do a transforming work in you. When you enter those sanctuary doors, is the soil of your heart fertile and ready to produce a crop? Shine On (4:21-25) The purpose for the light is to shine, not to be hidden. Any light that is covered or hidden is useless. Why does Jesus say this at this point to His disciples? Being amongst the privileged in having heard the truth, they are not to conceal it. They now have a responsibility to pass it on. That is why Jesus says to “Consider carefully what you hear…with the measure you use, it will be measure to you—and even more (v. 24). Knowing the truth has benefits, but it comes with it responsibilities. Don’t hide your lamp. Let it shine. Furthermore, light is always stronger than the darkness. No matter how dark a place may be, the smallest light will unveil the darkness. Darkness can never overcome the light. No matter how dark or hopeless your situation may be, just keep shining brightly. The daylight will come even after the darkest of nights.
In the busyness of getting ready for church on Sunday morning, do you spend more time in preparation for your physical appearance or on the inner condition of your heart? Come before the Lord in worship with a holy expectation to meet with Him. You and I have been given a great responsibility. We are jars of clay, carrying the truth of the Gospel within us. It is the flame’s nature to burn. When we are ignited with the light of Christ, it is only natural for others to feel the warmth and see the light.