Words of Encouragement Mark 4:1-9

Story of the Farmer Scattering Seed

1 Once again Jesus began teaching by the lakeshore.
     There was such a large crowd along the shore that he got into a boat and sat down and spoke from there.
2 He began to teach the people by telling many stories such as this one:
3 "Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seed. 
4 As he scattered it across his field, some seed fell on a footpath,
     and the birds came and ate it. 
5 Other seed fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The plant sprang up quickly, 
6 but it soon wilted beneath the hot sun and died because the roots had no nourishment in the shallow soil. 
7 Other seed fell among thorns that shot up and choked out the tender blades so that it produced no grain. 
8 Still other seed fell on fertile soil and produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times
     as much as had been planted." Then he said,
9 "Anyone who is willing to hear should listen and understand!" 
(NLT)

Jesus took every opportunity to teach the people how to follow God and to live life. When we read these parables that Jesus spoke we need to spend some time taking in what Jesus is saying. Jesus was willing not only to teach one person but also to teach the crowds the Word of God. Jesus always put an emphasis on knowing God’s Word and knowing it properly. Sometimes the best way to understand God’s Word is to illustrate the meaning of it in terms or story form so that we can understand it better. I like how Jesus begins this story “Listen!” or LISTEN! Jesus wants your attention. He wants you to stop what you are doing or thinking and listen to Him and Him alone. Focus on Jesus not on what is going on around you and be willing to hear and understand what Jesus is saying to you. Slow down and take the time to listen.

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