Today’s Encouragement is, “Then Jesus said to them, ‘If you can’t understand the meaning of this parable, how will you understand all the other parables?’” Mark 4:13 NLT
Understand The Meaning –
Jesus often taught in parables, easily remembered stories with deep spiritual meaning and truth. Some who heard Him understood, but most did not.
He spoke here about the sower, a farmer who planted seed, an analogy for a person taking God’s word and sharing it with others. (Mark 4:14)
Some seeds fell on poor soil, some on good soil. The seed itself was all good; the soil determined the result. The seed of the good news of Jesus Christ was scattered abundantly, freely, without regard to the quality of the land.
The resulting growth from the good soil was remarkable: thirty, sixty, or a hundred times. But all the other soil types failed to produce lasting results.
The parable is about us; we are the soil, the ones who hear God’s word. We either accept the truth, the good news of God’s Love, grace, and mercy, or we don’t.
When we do, wonderful results occur: transformation, rebirth, even eternal life! The parable makes it clear that not all hearers will accept it.
Still, the farmer scatters the seed freely. The result depends upon the response of the hearer, those who have “ears to hear” (Mark 4:9).
Jesus spoke the same truth, the seed, to everyone He encountered. Only a portion fell in good soil. And yet, what an abundant harvest has resulted!
Thank You, Father, that the seed of the good news of Jesus is perfect and always produces abundant results when it is planted in good soil. Help us to be good soil, hearing, accepting, and understanding Your parables, Your Truth, and Love.
Open The Eyes Of My Heart
Paul Baloche
https://youtu.be/wutmEjdbedE?is=z2siC45suIE5dbq0