SCRIPTURE
Mark 3:1-20
OBSERVATION AND UNDERSTANDING (Be Diligent by Warren Wiersbe)
This parable helped the disciples understand why Jesus was not impressed by the large crowds that followed Him. He knew that most of them would never produce fruit from changed lives, because the Word He was teaching them was like seed falling into poor soil. The seed represents God’s Word (Luke 8:11) and the sower is the servant of God who shares that Word with others (see 1 Cor. 3:5-9).
The human heart is like soil: it must be prepared to receive the seed before that seed can take root and produce a harvest. Like seed, the Word is alive and able to produce spiritual fruit, but the seed must be planted and cultivated before that harvest will come.
As in that day, so today, there are four kinds of hearts and they respond to God’s message in four different ways.
The hard heart (Mark 4:4, 15) resists the Word of God and makes it easy for Satan (the birds) to snatch it away. Soil becomes hard when too many feet tread on it. Those who recklessly “open their hearts” to all kinds of people and influences are in danger of developing hard hearts (see Prov. 4:23). Hard hearts must be “plowed up” before they can receive the seed, and this can be a painful experience (Jer. 4:3; Hosea 10:12).
The shallow heart (vv. 5-6, 16-17). This heart is like thin soil on a rock, very typical to Palestine. Since there is no depth, whatever is planted cannot last because it has no roots. This represents the “emotional hearer” who joyfully accepts God’s Word but does not really understand the price that must be paid to become a genuine Christian. There may be great enthusiasm for several days or weeks; but when persecution and difficulties begin, the enthusiasm wanes and the joy disappears. It is easy for fallen human nature to counterfeit “religious feelings” and give a professed Christian a feeling of false confidence.
The crowded heart (vv. 7, 18-19). This heart pictures the person who receives the Word but does not truly repent and remove the “weeds” out of his or her heart. This hearer has too many different kinds of “seeds” growing in the soil—worldly cares, a desire for riches, a lust for things—and the good seed of the Word has no room in which to grow. To change the image, this person wants to walk the “broad way” and the “narrow way” at the same time (Matt. 7:13-14); and it cannot be done.
The fruitful heart (vv. 8, 20). This heart pictures the true believer, because fruit—a changed life—is the evidence of true salvation (2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 5:19-23). The other three hearts produced no fruit, so we conclude that they belong to persons who have never been born again. Not all true believers are equally as productive; but from every genuine Christian’s life, there will be some evidence of spiritual fruit.
LIFE APPLICATION
More and more I am convinced that there are many people professing to be Christ-followers who are going to be surprised to discover that they are not. Are we showing the kind of fruit in our lives that is the evidence of true salvation? Is there love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, self-control, faithfulness and gentleness becoming increasingly obvious in our lives? Are we submitted to one another, loving and forgiving one another, pursuing unity? The list goes on, but the question lingers...are our hearts fruitful?
Mark 4:35-41 - Can Jesus Calm the Storms of Our Life?
S - “He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?’" (Mark 4:39-40)
O – If we see this merely as a good story at the end of chapter four, rather than the first of several powerful miracles of Christ extending through chapter five, we will very likely miss the full meaning and importance of the passage.
U – The practical significance and application of this passage goes far beyond Jesus “calming the storms of our life.”
L – For more on this, click below “Understanding” – above, right.
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Posted by: Russ | February 14, 2012 at 09:56 AM
Well, WOW. I prayed for direction and wisdom this week, for many things. Each day I've received something. Not always what I want to hear, but I've received the truth. After reading the 4 hearts, am I the only one feeling like I'm being called out? It is a matter of the heart..isn't it? Now this is a Valentine!
Lord, work on my heart, cultivate my heart to being more open, teachable and fruitful and plow away and remove the weeds, open to forgiveness and unity and repentance.
Posted by: gladi | February 14, 2012 at 11:26 AM