The Parable of the Mustard Seed (Mark 4:30–34)

 

The Parable of the Mustard Seed (Mark 4:30–34)

What does the church look like? It resembles Jesus Christ. As the prophet Isaiah predicted, Jesus bore the cross and died like a sinner: "He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him" (Isaiah 53:2). Jesus commanded his disciples to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow him (Luke 9:23). This is the true image of a believer.

In Mark 4:30–34, Jesus reveals the secrets of the kingdom of God through the Parable of the Mustard Seed. He clarifies the nature of the church established on this earth—that is, the nature of the believers who trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Parable of the Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31–32; Luke 13:18–19)

30 Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth at the time it is planted. 32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade” (Mark 4:30–32).

The Parable of the Mustard Seed is well-known, yet its interpretation is debated. One common view is that it depicts the church starting small and eventually growing into something massive and grand. However, before telling this parable, Jesus asked himself how he might compare the kingdom of God.

This suggests that the parable points toward the qualitative aspect of the kingdom rather than just quantitative expansion. God separated light from darkness (Genesis 1:4). There is truth and falsehood, good and evil, right and wrong. God is good and holy; in Him, there is no darkness, only a fullness of holiness, truth, glory, and power.

However, there was one who rebelled against God’s glory: Satan. Instead of submitting to God, he sought to make himself higher than God (Isaiah 14:13–14). He seeks to devour believers whenever possible and is the one who tempted the woman into the Fall.

Consequently, the world contains a mix of truth and lies, good and evil. Through Adam, evil settled within humanity in the form of hatred, envy, jealousy, murder, and discontent. To remove that evil, God’s Son, Jesus Christ, shed His blood and died. Now, whoever believes in the blood of the Son of God receives forgiveness and eternal life (John 3:16).

Unfortunately, within the church, there are both true believers born again by Christ’s blood and "fakes" who are not. Attending church, giving offerings, or even evangelizing doesn't automatically make someone the real deal. One can mimic a believer without being born again—Judas Iscariot is a prime example.

But a day is coming when the real and the fake will be distinguished: The Day of the Lord. On that day, God will judge the evil of this world (John 3:18). It is the day when Jesus Christ, who ascended to heaven, returns as the Judge of all things (2 Peter 3:10). Every evil will be exposed and judged (Isaiah 14:16).

The Meaning of the Parable

A mustard seed is small, but it isn't literally the smallest seed in existence. Jesus, the Creator who made all things, certainly knew this. The point is that after this small seed is planted, it grows larger than all garden plants, spreading branches so large that birds perch in its shade.

When Jesus explained the Parable of the Sower, he noted that if one doesn't understand that parable, they won't understand any others (Mark 4:13). In that context, he identified birds as representing Satan (Mark 4:15). Therefore, a small seed growing larger than all other plants represents abnormal growth. It becomes bloated and corrupted, turning into a haunt for Satan.

Historically and currently, we see "churches" committing harmful acts. Under the mask of religion and using the name of Christ, they do the work of the devil. In the first century, the Pharisees and teachers of the law were appointed as spiritual leaders, yet they became "children of the devil," leading the persecution and execution of Jesus (John 8:44).

In what way is the Kingdom of God like a mustard seed?

Even a tiny bit of mustard has a pungent, sharp "kick." As the saying goes, "Small peppers are the spiciest." Jesus declared His disciples to be the salt and light of the world (Matthew 5:13–16). Salt provides flavor; you can't see it, but you know it’s there when you taste it.

Light drives out darkness. Where there is light, darkness has no place to stand. In the presence of Jesus, no lie or darkness can remain. Therefore, those who follow Him do not walk in darkness but in light (John 8:12, 12:46).

The church is not meant to be a grand, flashy building that seeks the world's attention. It isn't defined by outward appearances like clothing or symbols. The "church" refers to the people following Jesus Christ. Jesus bore the cross like a sinner, enduring intense pain and shame (Isaiah 53:3). He was not someone who looked beautiful or desirable by worldly standards (Isaiah 53:2).

Disciples who follow Jesus will look like Him. They will face persecution, rejection, and suffering from this world. They are objects of the world's hatred, not its admiration. The world does not recognize Jesus or those who follow Him (John 15:17).

18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also" (John 15:18–20).

The church established on earth—the believers following Jesus—may be as small and "invisible" as a mustard seed, but they function as salt and light. Though they may not be flashy or highly visible, the church provides a "pungent taste" to the world that cannot simply be ignored.

An Example: Isaac Digging Wells

Isaac went down to Gerar because there was a famine (Gen 26:1). His intended destination was Egypt, but the Lord commanded him to stay there (Gen 26:2). In that place, Isaac dug wells, but every time he found a new one, the Philistines came, claimed it as theirs, and stopped them up (Gen 26:15). Not just once, but several times, Isaac suffered the humiliation of having his wells taken away (Gen 26:14-22).

However, eventually, Abimelek, the king of the Philistines, came to Isaac and asked to make a peace treaty (Gen 26:26). He came to Isaac because he saw that the Lord was with him (Gen 26:28). Isaac did not fight back against the Philistines; though he endured shame and hardship, through this, he revealed the glory and power of the Lord Almighty to those who did not believe.

Jesus Christ, Who Bore the Cross and Shed His Blood

Jesus bore the cross and died appearing as a sinner. He died in a way that looked like he was yielding to the power and authority of this world. However, through the death of Jesus Christ, the grace of salvation came to this world:

"He himself bore our sins" in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; "by his wounds you have been healed." (1 Pet 2:24)

The death of Christ was the price of ransom for those trapped under the power of sin and death (Matt 20:28; 1 Tim 2:6). With the blood He shed, Jesus bound Satan and set believers free (Mark 3:27).

The devil tempted Jesus to avoid the cross and reveal his Messiahship in other ways. Satan tempted Jesus to jump from the highest point of the temple (Matt 4:5-6). He also showed him the glory of all the kingdoms and tempted him to bow down (Matt 4:8-9). Even while Jesus was on the cross, Satan tempted him to "come down... that we may see and believe" (Mark 15:29-32).

Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb 12:2)

God raised Jesus Christ, who gave his life for the sins of the world, from the dead (Acts 2:24; Rom 8:11). God broke the power of death through the resurrection power of the Creator. Jesus rejoiced in the grace of the Father, who gives eternal life to every believer because He endured suffering.

Therefore, we clothe ourselves with Christ's humility, gentleness, and righteousness, and we forgive and love one another. We pray daily that Christ may dwell fully in our hearts and that the Word of the Lord may take hold of our hearts and lives.

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Col 3:12-17) Amen, Amen!

Teaching in Parables

33 With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. 34 He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything. (Mark 4:33-34)

Jesus revealed the secrets of the kingdom of heaven through parables. He did not speak without them. If light is too bright, it can actually make it harder to see—it is similar to the principle of wearing sunglasses. And to the disciples—the believers—he explained everything clearly. Jesus gives understanding to those who come to Him in faith. He blesses those who believe and obey to possess the secrets of the kingdom of heaven. Amen!

God delights in teaching the secrets of the kingdom of heaven. However, these secrets are invisible and hidden. The Kingdom of God is eternal in its glory, splendor, majesty, power, and authority. God delights in revealing the secrets of His kingdom to those who knock and seek.

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings. (Prov 25:2)

Though the secrets of God's kingdom are hidden, He awakens those who seek and search for them. Our life's journey is filled with storms and hidden reefs. We cannot avoid facing internal and external difficulties and pain. Relationships can be like a time bomb. Yet, within all these things, the secrets of the kingdom of heaven are hidden. One of those is the undeniable truth that "God is love."

7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. (Matt 7:7-12) Amen!

January 25, 2026

Buffalo Livingstone Church ©2026, David Lee Ministries ©2026 – All Rights Reserved.

Scripture quotes are from the NIV.

 

The Parable of the Lamp and the Growing Seed (Mark 4:21-29)

The Parable of the Lamp and the Growing Seed (Mark 4:21-29)

What do we truly want? We want to know. Everyone has their own fields of interest. Stocks, employment, sales, tourist attractions, and restaurants are common interests for many. However, God is the source of all knowledge (Proverbs 2:6). Furthermore, God delights in making things known to us (James 1:5; Colossians 1:9-10). What God gives us is the truth.

In Mark 4:21-29, Jesus tells the Parable of the Lamp and the Parable of the Growing Seed. Here, He teaches the secret of what the Word of God is and how the sown Word grows.

A Lamp on a Stand (Luke 8:16-18)

21 He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand? 22 For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.” (Mark 4:21-23)

The Parable of the Lamp reveals the role of God’s Word. God is light, and His Word is a lamp. The Word of God is the key that unlocks the secrets of the Kingdom of God. These secrets include the secrets of humanity, evil, Christ, redemption, and bearing fruit.

It reveals where humans come from and where we are going; how we fell and how we reach salvation; how we grow; why pain and suffering continue; why there is a gap between our desires and reality; and what the true hope of humanity is.

Furthermore, it reveals how God created man, how and why He saves fallen man, how He loves us, why He refines us, and for what purpose He allows hardship and pain. Above all, it reveals the heavenly inheritance God has given to those who believe.

The Word of God is a lamp. A lamp is not intended to be hidden under a bed, but to be placed on a stand. A lamp illuminates dark places. God’s light fills all creation (Genesis 1:14). By day the sun shines, and by night the moon—reflecting the sun—shines over the darkness. The sky is filled with countless stars that embroider the dark night.

Therefore, nothing can be hidden or concealed before God. Everything is laid bare before Him.

13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:13)

God observes all things with eyes like blazing fire, and He knows the hearts of all people (Revelation 2:18; John 2:24-25). God shines His holy light into the human heart.

People think they can hide things, but they cannot. There is a Korean proverb that says, "Birds hear the words spoken by day, and mice hear the words spoken by night." It means there are no secrets in this world. How much more is it true that nothing can be hidden from the Creator God who made all things?

2 There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 3 What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs. (Luke 12:2-3)

How Does God Speak?

God reveals His divine power and glory through His creation and through our bodies (Romans 1:19). God also reveals His grace and kindness through the hardships, pain, and sorrows of life (Isaiah 30:20-21; 1 Peter 4:12). The pain and suffering that everyone experiences is an expression and evidence of God’s holy love (Hebrews 12:6). He reveals His holy glory even through disasters like floods and through wars.

Most importantly, Christ who dwells within us guides, teaches, and protects us (Colossians 1:27). God sends the Spirit of truth, the Holy Spirit, into us; He gives us the power to obey by faith and pours out the grace to repent and turn back to Him. Also, when we open the Bible to read and meditate, He pours out the grace of understanding and inspiration.

Therefore, anyone can believe in and rely on God, who is present throughout all creation, and place their hope in the Lord (Psalm 19:1; Ephesians 1:23). God dwells in the hearts of believers, guiding, leading, and protecting them daily through His Word. Although we face tribulations in this world, we hope for the Kingdom of Heaven, which God has given as a promise.

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

The Secret of Growth: Hearing and Obeying

"Consider carefully what you hear," he continued. "With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them." (Mark 4:24-25)

Humans are constantly listening. As children, we listen to our parents; in school, we listen to teachers. We even listen to the internal monologue within ourselves. However, not everything we hear is the truth. In particular, there is the whispering voice of the devil—the "ruler of the kingdom of the air" and the father of lies (Ephesians 2:2). The devil’s voice isn't always a 100% lie; it is often cleverly mixed with truth (Genesis 3:1).

Just like the spam mixed into our daily emails and texts, falsehoods are blended into our lives. If we listen poorly, we face ruin. Therefore, we must discern what we hear. This is God’s holy promise: those who hear, receive, and obey the word of God’s truth will produce a crop—thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times what was sown (Mark 4:8, 20).

Those who obey God’s Word engrave that truth deep in their hearts as a heavenly blessing. Abraham, who moved to Canaan in faithful obedience, experienced and believed in God as his "shield" and "very great reward" (Genesis 15:1). We cannot obey by knowing every outcome; we do it by faith. Consequently, obedience strengthens that faith, making it deeper and higher.

This is why those who obey by faith continue to receive "measure" (understanding). Conversely, those who lack faith and do not obey lose even what they have. This is the secret of growing in Christ: without obedience, you cannot truly grasp the truth.

God showed us the ultimate model of obedience through His Son. Jesus gave His life to obey the Father’s will (Philippians 2:8). Obedience involves risk. Abraham moved to Canaan, a place where he had nothing to rely on, simply because he believed and obeyed God's promise.

God is eternal. In Him are hidden all the treasures of eternal wisdom and knowledge (Romans 11:33; Colossians 2:3). We are called to a holy journey of discovering these treasures. While this journey is filled with challenges, we do not walk it alone. Jesus Christ, who did not spare His own life for us, is always with us (Matthew 28:20; Romans 8:32).

The Parable of the Growing Seed

He also said, "This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come." (Mark 4:26-29)

The Parable of the Growing Seed reveals a growth process that is invisible to the eye. The Kingdom of God is like the Son of Man sowing seed in the field of the human heart. The seed grows, but we cannot see how it happens. In reality, for a seed to grow, it must first fall to the ground and "die" (John 12:24). It seems dead and buried, but from there, the sprout, the head, and finally the fruit emerge.

While the preparation happens underground, the sprout and the grain eventually become visible markers of growth. Christians may not have a physical "sign" of growth, but the evidence appears as we become more like Christ.

As the years pass in Christ, we find ourselves becoming:

• Less: Angry, shocked, anxious, resentful, and envious.
• More: Forgiving, loving, thankful, hopeful, and compassionate.

We begin to forgive even those who are hard to love. Instead of demanding our rights, we learn to yield and let go. Why? Because Christ loved us that way (Romans 5:8) and because we know our reward is not on this earth, but stored in heaven (1 Peter 1:3-4).

The process of "dying to self," like a seed rotting in the earth, is difficult. It feels like moving a mountain (Matthew 17:20). But for a follower of Jesus, this is not an option—it is essential (Mark 8:34). Just as God raised Christ from the dead, He also brings us to life with Him (Ephesians 2:5).

How Do We Grow?

God created us in His image. He rescues those fallen in Adam and shines the lamp of His truth upon every person. He constantly sows the seed of His Word to produce a hundredfold harvest.

God’s Word is like our breath; without it, we die. It is our food and drink. Jesus taught us to pray for our "daily bread" (Matthew 6:11) to remind us that we must consume His Word daily. To eat and drink His Word is to walk with Him. Apart from Him, we have no life (John 15:4).

God dwells within us forever (John 14:16-17). Following the example of obedience set by the Lord, we fix our eyes on Him and walk the path of faith. We do this knowing that God delights in giving us what we need (John 14:13-14).

"And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." (2 Corinthians 9:8)

"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do." (James 1:5-8)

Amen!

January 18, 2026

Buffalo Livingstone Church ©2026, David Lee Ministries ©2026 – All Rights Reserved.

Scripture quotes are from the NIV.

 

 

The Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:1-20)

 

The Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:1-20)

Among the phrases Jesus repeated often is this one: "Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear." God is the Beginning (Alpha) and the End (Omega), and He is eternal (Revelation 1:8, 21:6, 22:13; 2 Corinthians 9:8). In God, there is no lack; He is abundant (Psalm 23:1; Philippians 4:19). Therefore, those who belong to God continue to be fruitful and bear overflowing fruit (John 15:5).

In Mark 4:1-20, Jesus tells the parable of the sower and explains its meaning. Those who hear the word, accept it, and obey it produce a crop—thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times what was sown. Life without fruit is a waste and leads to destruction. Therefore, bearing fruit is essential. Fruits are the evidence of faith.

The Parable of the Sower

1 Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water’s edge. 2 He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: 3 “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.” 9 Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” (Mark 4:1-9)

A parable conveys a deep intended meaning through an easy-to-understand story from everyday life. Jesus taught the secrets of the kingdom of heaven through many parables. For example, He said that it is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. This illustrates the truth that God’s redeeming grace in Christ comes to those who realize they are spiritually ill—trapped in sin.

Jesus sat in a boat and taught the crowds gathered at the shore. Among His teachings, the parable of the sower reveals the secret of bearing fruit in the kingdom of heaven through a story about farming. In this parable, the only ground where the seed produces fruit is the good soil; the path, the rocky ground, and the thorny ground fail to produce a crop.

The seed sown in all four types of soil is identical. However, depending on the soil, it either bears fruit or it doesn't. Fruit is vital. It is a blessing and the evidence of faith. For a believer, this fruit is the fruit of the Spirit, and it is stored in heaven where it cannot be seen (Matthew 5:12, 6:4; 1 Corinthians 3:12-15; James 1:12). The fruit that believers enjoy includes love, joy, peace, and patience (Galatians 5:22-23).

However, failure to bear proper fruit leads to trouble and distress, and ultimately, eternal judgment (Romans 2:8; Matthew 7:19-20). Though chosen as one of the Twelve, Judas Iscariot rejected Christ and bore bitter fruit instead of good fruit. God chose Israel and hoped they would yield good grapes, but they yielded only wild grapes (Isaiah 5:4). Instead of the fruit of justice and righteousness, they produced the bad fruit of oppression and exploitation (Isaiah 5:7).

In His great patience, God desires everyone to repent, turn back, and bear good fruit (1 John 1:9; Acts 17:30; 2 Peter 3:9). Fruit is produced by remaining in Christ, who is the vine (John 15:1-16). All good fruit comes from heaven, not from the earth. Because there is nothing good in human nature, we cannot produce good fruit on our own (Genesis 6:5; Mark 7:21-23; Romans 7:21). Therefore, to bear fruit, we must remain in Jesus Christ, who is goodness itself.

The Purpose of the Parables

10 When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. 11 He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables 12 so that, ‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’” (Mark 4:10-12)

The disciples asked why He spoke in parables and what they meant. Like the disciples, those who want to know the meaning—those who believe in and follow the Lord Jesus Christ—are given the secrets of the kingdom of God. This "secret" is the way of salvation. We understand it only because the Lord reveals it; no one can figure it out on their own. It cannot be understood through wealth, talent, or achievement. Parables are teachings that reveal these secrets. Those who hear and understand are given the kingdom of God.

However, to "those on the outside"—those who do not believe or follow—the parables remain just stories, and the meaning is lost on them. For instance, if a farmer hears this story and dismisses it as something he already knows without seeking the hidden secret, he cannot know the kingdom. This fulfills the prophecy: they see but do not perceive, hear but do not understand, and thus do not turn to receive forgiveness (Isaiah 6:9-10). While parables reveal the kingdom, outsiders remain ignorant because of their hardened unbelief. Because of this lack of faith, they do not reach forgiveness or salvation.

In fact, the Jews of that time saw the miracles performed by Jesus, the Son of God, with their own eyes but did not recognize Him. They heard His divine voice but did not understand. Even in the Old Testament, they heard the words of the prophets but failed to perceive the truth (Isaiah 6:9-10; 2 Chronicles 36:15-16; Acts 13:27). Instead, they preferred the "sweet" lies of false prophets (Jeremiah 23:16, 21; Ezekiel 2:3-7; Isaiah 30:9-11).

The Sower Sows the Word

13 Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable? 14 The sower sows the word.” (Mark 4:13-14)

The parable of the sower serves as the foundation for interpreting all other parables. The sower sows the word. The sower is the Son of Man (Matthew 13:37). The word is the truth of God and the key to the secrets of the kingdom of heaven. God’s Word, from Genesis to Revelation, is God-breathed and is "useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

God sows His word of truth into people. This begins with hearing. How do we hear God’s word? We can read it or meditate on it. But that’s not all. God reveals His invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—to humanity through what has been made (Romans 1:19-20). Even for those who haven’t encountered the written word, the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, and their consciences bear witness (Romans 2:14-15).

Seed Sown Along the Path

"Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them." (Mark 4:15)

A heart like the path represents a hard and stubborn lack of faith. It is a heart that refuses to believe in God and rejects the Christ He sent. When they hear the word, Satan comes immediately and steals what was sown. Because this kind of heart doesn't react to the word at all, it produces no fruit. In this parable, the birds represent Satan. This doesn't mean birds are Satan, but that they serve as a symbol for him in this context. Satan refuses to obey God; instead, he opposes Him and tries to exalt himself (Isaiah 14:13). A hard heart that hears the word but does not respond is following Satan.

Seed Sown on Rocky Places

16 "Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. 17 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away." (Mark 4:16-17)

A heart like rocky ground responds to the word with joy. It is moved by the truth and receives grace. It agrees with God’s word, and joy fills that heart. However, the problem is that the ground is full of rocks, so the seed cannot take root. For those who obey God’s truth, trouble and persecution follow (John 15:19), just as the world hated and persecuted Jesus (John 15:18).

They receive the word with joy and last for a bit, but they fall away and bear no fruit when faced with hardship. They stumble because they complain about their troubles. Yet, trials and pain are common to everyone (1 Corinthians 10:13). Until the moment we die, thirst and longing continue. The difficulties we face in life are evidence of God’s holy love—tools of discipline intended to help us take root and bear fruit.

Seed Sown Among Thorns

18 "Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful." (Mark 4:18-19)

A thorny heart hears the word, but worries and greed choke it out. Worry is something everyone is good at without even trying; we are all "pros" at worrying. Anxiety settles in beside us like an unwelcome friend, caused by the uncertainty of the future, the gap between our desires and reality, and the habit of comparing ourselves to others.

Worry doesn't stop there; it brings anxiety, restlessness, complaining, and stress. It is completely unhelpful. These worldly worries swallow up the word before it has a chance to grow. Therefore, God does not rebuke us for our needs but tells us to ask Him, the God who gives generously (James 1:5).

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)

Furthermore, everyone likes money. Money is a necessity and is not wrong in itself. However, "the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil" (1 Timothy 6:10). Relying on money happens because of a lack of trust in God (1 Timothy 6:17-19; Matthew 6:24). God is the Lord of salvation who provides everything in abundance. We came into this world naked and will leave it naked (Job 1:21). Our Creator knows what we need and provides it (Matthew 6:33).

Seed Sown on Good Soil

"Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown." (Mark 4:20)

Seed that falls on good soil produces fruit—at least thirty, sixty, or a hundred times more. A good heart hears and accepts the word. It understands God’s truth and obeys. To those who hear and obey, God continues to give the grace to understand the secrets of the kingdom (Matthew 13:12).

What is obedience? The Lord Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of obedience. He was obedient to the point of death on a cross to fulfill the Father's will. God’s will was to redeem humanity from sin through the blood of His Son. Jesus set aside His equality with God, took on human form, and became incarnate (Philippians 2:6-8). He then offered Himself as the Passover Lamb.

Then, God raised Jesus from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said, and seated Him on the highest throne in heaven (Philippians 2:9-11). Now, whoever believes in God’s Son will not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

The path to bearing fruit—thirty, sixty, or a hundredfold—is open to us. That path is to clothe ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ and follow Him down the road of the cross, the road of suffering, forgiveness, and love. Of course, there are challenges and pain. Though Jesus was sinless, He carried a cross of accusation, suffering, shame, and pain. This is the secret of the kingdom of heaven.

No one is "born" with good soil. Instead, everyone became children of God’s wrath (Ephesians 2:2). Anyone who hears the Lord's word, repents, and turns back to Him becomes "good soil." When you turn your heart back to the Lord, you will bear abundant fruit. We cannot help but praise and thank our Father, the God of grace and mercy. Amen!

January 11, 2026

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Scripture quotes are from the NIV.