Mark 4

Those who have ears to hear, let them hear…

Jesus first shares about the Sower sowing seed. He is the Sower and the seed is His Word. The hardness of hearts, cares of the world, and Satan are the cause of spiritual death… but when His Word is received with an open-heart spiritual fruit is produced (v3-9).

Next He shares about lamps. Lamps in Jesus day were clay, filled with an oil and had a wick. Oil represents the Holy Spirit. The light of the lamp in darkness is our call today. As we spend time with Him and in His Word, we are to share with others His presence and protection (v21-25).

Then Jesus shares about scattering seed. He teaches us we don’t determine the seed’s sprouting and growth. Our responsibility is to sow into the world what the Lord has sown into us (v26-29). The church will grow. It has grown. God is faithful. But with the growth of the church so comes the “birds of the air”. They will be found resting in the shade of the church. The church today has become so large the enemy can hide in her branches and shade (v30-32).

Jesus prophesied exactly what would take place. We should find comfort in the knowledge of Jesus. His call to us as disciples? “Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given. For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.” Mark 4:24-25  

- To Know Jesus. To Live on Mission.