Seeding time Mk 4:1-20

This is the first Parable that we see in Mark (the previous story with the wine skins was and illustration, not a story) and it's about the 3 different types of ground that the seeds fall down into, representing peoples response to the gospel.

First, we have the seed that falls on the footpath,  birds come and pick them up -- representing Satan taking them away, right away.

Second, we have the seed that falls on shallow soil, with underlying rock.   Plants grow quickly, but then soon wither and fade.   This represents "those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy.  But since they don't have deep roots, they don't last long.   They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God's word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced."   This is the reason we have Sunday messages.   There are alot of people we know that have gone to Church, experienced a spiritual 'high', but as soon as something happens, they fall away from God.   Really this is where the Church tries to build the strong roots in its people.

Thirdly, the seed that falls on the good soil "represents those who hear and accept God's word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!"   See the main difference between the third and second .. the second one "receives" (the message) "with joy"  .. the Third one "who hear and accept God's word"  there's a difference between being excited about something, and actually accepting it.   It's the difference between being excited about the new "Spicey burger" at A&W restaurants, and actually working and making it.

You will always have the 2nd and 3rd type of soil at Church.   But is our focus on the 2nd type ignoring the potential of the 3rd type ... the good soil.?   Are our Churches more equipped for those that have the joy, or those that know the word?  Is our life and church more excited about the good soil, rather than spending time in the shallowness of fleeting momentary 'spiritual highes?'

I strive for being like that good soil, not tossed by the waves and currents of this world, or the problems I encounter.   I want my roots to go deeper, and I find the more I live this fleeting life, the more I want to grow.   It's not easy, but so worth it.

Blessings