The sower
Mark 4:1-20
In the Gospel of Mark, the parable of the sower begins and ends with the word “listen.”
It is common thought that this parable encourages believers who have already accepted the word of God to nourish their faith to grow. It also explains why some people fail to respond or become mature Christians.
At first, the focus is on the sower, but then turns quickly to the seed. As Christians we are quick to identify the sower as Jesus and the seed with those of us who hear his preaching and believe. If we review the verses prior to this parable, Mark 4:31-35, we see Jesus pointing to those who are seated in the circle and stating that they are his mother, his sisters, and brothers. Do these verses have anything to say about the farmer?
If we understand Jesus to be the sower, and consider the prior conversation about who are his brothers and sisters, we can also reason that Jesus is asking who is going to do the work with him. Most scholars would agree that farmers in that day would have had access to some form of a plow. They likely understood that there was work for the sowers to do in preparing the field to be ready to receive the seed. Given the ratio of good soil and the seeds, the harvest identified in verse 20 remains surprisingly abundant.
After speaking publicly, Jesus has a word with just his disciples in Mark 4:10-12. We may not consider this important, and yet, we can assume that public instruction only goes so far. The element of private instruction is also important in how Jesus taught both the crowds and the disciples. I think this parable says a good bit about where to spread the seed and how important it is to prepare the soil.
The Mustard Seed
Mark 4:30-32
Here the kingdom of God is referred to in small seeds, and growth is not dependent on the sower. No matter what the sower is doing during the growing season, growth happens. When the grain is ripe, the sower is quickly back to work to harvest the grain. This is an important word to anyone involved in leadership or ministry. We do not bring the growth; God does. We also may not see the growth, but we are still called to prepare the soil and plant the seed.
Think of the mustard seed when it grows into a tree. Scripture in Mark says the tree will house birds and provide shade. If you look at a picture of a mustard tree, you will often notice that it does not grow straight and tall, but rather is broad and bushy. It often appears that the branches are tangled with leaves that go every which way. If having faith like a mustard seed is enough, what does having faith like a mustard tree look like?
When faith grows, God is working in individuals; and in the analogy of leaders as farmers, we better be ready to continue the important work of harvest and instruction.
Consider
Who are the people called to be sowers?
What does it look like to do the work of planting?
How do we identify the soil? Or know when the soil is ready for planting?
What is it we are planting?
Who is responsible for the growth?
What does faith look like? Could it be that faith is messy? What examples of a messy faith do you know of?
