The Soil of Your Soul (Mark 4)

We are continuing in Mark for our Summer Reading Challenge for 2022.  Today we are reading Mark chapter 4, and for our time here, we will be focusing on Jesus’ parable talking about: The Soil of Your Soul.

• Mark chapter 4 essentially has three main segments: (1) Jesus tells the parable of the Sower, then explains it (4:1-20); (2) Jesus tells three successive parables (4:21-34); and (3) Jesus calms the storm (4:35-41).
• Today’s reflection focuses on Jesus’ explanation of the parable of the sower.

PART 1: Setting the Scene

Jesus begins his parable by introducing a sower who went out to sow (Mark 4:3).  He seems like a rather inefficient sower as the seed falls all over the place!  But the focus is not on the sower.  It is on types of soil upon which the seed falls. 

• Some seed falls on the path, and birds come and eat it
• Some seed falls on rocky ground with a bit of soil.  The seed springs up quickly because there is not much room for any roots to go deep.  But when the young plant faced the harshness of the environment, it withered in the sun because “it had no root.”
• Some seed falls among thorns.  While the seed did grow, the thorns also grew up around it, and choked it.
• Some seed falls into good soil.  It grows up and increases – it yields a tremendous crop!

After telling the parable, when Jesus is alone with the twelve, they begin to ask him about the parables.

PART 2: The Explanation

As we move into the explanation, I want to point out two thoughts.  First, I do not think that it is without significance that Jesus gives the explanation of this parable to the twelve apostles.  For in just a couple of chapters these men will be sent out to proclaim the Word in villages and towns (6:7-13).  Their job will be to sow that seed far and wide, the response will depend on the soil.

• This is indeed an encouragement.  There are times that you can labor with all your might, plead and pray for people to understand the Word.  But the result is not up to you.  Be faithful to sow the seed!
• But let me not get ahead of myself.

Second, this parable is not only for leaders, but should give us pause to examine our own lives — what is the soil of soul?  So, let us examine Jesus’ explanation. Jesus makes the parable plain and understanding very easy.

• The seed being sown is the word — we have seen this term before in Mark 2:2, “many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them.”
• Jesus says this of those along the path, whenever they hear the word, Satan immediately snatches it up.
  • Never underestimate the spiritual battle that occurs when the Word is being shared! 
• Of those on the rocky ground, they received the word with joy.  However, “they have no root in themselves” (4:17) and thus, they wither away when they encounter persecution & tribulation on account of that Word.
  • Two things to consider — (1) receiving the word with joy, while very good, is not a guarantee of an enduring faith, (2) it is not a fault in the Word when someone falls away — rather, the shallowness of the soil in the soul.
  • Is the Word growing deep in your heart, my friend?  What will become of your faith with persecution or tribulation comes to your life on account of the Word?
• Of those among thorns, they hear the word, but according to Jesus, three things CHOKE THE WORD:
  • (1) cares of the world, (2) deceitfulness of riches, & (3) desires for other things
    • These things don’t really need explaining.  But let me ask you this: what kind of things in your life, or in this world, are consuming you? 
    • Or more specifically, if I were to ask you how your time in the Word has been, if you are intentionally seeking to grow deeper in your walk with God — what kind of things will you list as reasons why you are too busy
    • Friend, what kind of thorns in your life are choking out the Word?   
  • Notice the last phrase in verse 19.  The choking of the word PROVES IT UNFRUITFUL.  What fruit is being borne in your life?  And that leads directly to the final section. 
• Of those among the good soil — they hear the Word, accept it, and bear fruit.  
  • This is almost exactly what Paul says in Colossians 1:6. He says that from the day the Colosssian Christians (1) heard the gospel and (2) understood the grace of God, it has been (3) bearing fruit and increasing.

Conclusion:

So my friend, as we conclude this reflection, what kind of soil are you?  If ever there was a time to examine your heart, let it be today!  What must you and I do to be growing?  I think it is clear from these verses.

• First, we must tend to the roots — is the Word of God growing deep in my heart, wrapping its tendrils around every corner, leaving no part of my thought life, emotional life, the hidden parts of me — leaving no part unaffected?  How are you making strives to do this?  Are you hearing the Word (and keep on hearing)?  Are you accepting the Word (and keep on accepting)?  And are doing with it says?
• So, second, we must tend to the fruit — the more the Word grows in us, the more more our lives will reflect it… But we must be ready and willing to put into action the things that Jesus is teaching us. 

So, have you read through Mark chapter 4 yet?  Which of Jesus’ parables stuck out to you?  What kind of soil do you see in your soul?  What ways can you be bearing fruit today?