A Sower Went to Sow

And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great

multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by

the sea on the land. And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his

doctrine, Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow. (Mark 4:1-3)

Jesus had such a large crowd coming to hear what He had to say that He had to get into a boat to have room to teach. The boat gave Him more room for His listeners and the water amplified His voice. Jesus made the most out of every situation!

This was one of His largest crowds so far, and what did He open with? A farmer walking out to plant seed. It was not a flashy beginning, no lightning or burning bush. It was just a guy with a bag of seed, doing what farmers do every season. That's the picture He chose to explain how the kingdom of God actually works.

That’s exactly why it's important. Jesus wasn't giving them a shortcut or a fast track to get what they want from God; He was providing a process that works the same way every time, for every individual, no matter the season or generation. A seed is planted, and then something happens to it depending on where it ends up. That's all there is to it. No shortcuts and no exceptions.

So, when you hear the Word this Sunday or read it on your own this week, you're not just collecting historical or religious information. You're standing in that field. Something is being sown into you right now. What happens to it next depends largely on the condition of the ground it lands on, and that ground is you.

Practical Application

Before you read the Word again this week, stop and honestly ask yourself what kind of ground you've been lately. Don't answer too quickly.

Isaiah 55:10; 1 Corinthians 3:6