Introduction

We are looking at the Sower in Week Two.

Studies show that a baby can recognise its mothers voice starting in the third trimester of pregnancy. By the time the baby is born it has the ability to expend effort to hear its mothers voice over other voices. Without ever laying eyes on her, the child knows who it belongs to, where to find comfort, warmth, nourishment and safety.

When Jesus arrived on the scene, the Jews had been waiting for their Messiah to arrive for 400 years. There were prophecies about His arrival, Jewish boys were taught in school about the generations before them caught in captivity, and because of the persecution of the Jews at the time by the Roman government, every Jew knew that they were in need of a saviour. So as Jesus’ ministry begins, one would assume the people of the time would recognise Jesus instinctually, just as a new-born knows its mother. But, as we continue to read in Mark, many failed to recognise their Messiah.

As the gospel of Mark goes back and forth between stories of great faith in Jesus, to stories of disillusionment and denial of Jesus, sprinkled in are parables mean to shape the disciples understanding of who Jesus is and what His kingdom is like.

Following His parable of the Sower, Jesus tells those gathered around the lake, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear” (Mark 4:9). Later on, in chapter 4 Jesus says it again, “If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear,” but this time He continues, “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you and even more” (Mark 4:23-24).

Later on, at the end of chapter 6, the disciples are on a boat in the middle of the lake heading to Bethsaida, waiting on Jesus, straining to stay put. Jesus saw their struggle an began walking towards them on the water, in perhaps the most famous walk ever! But when the disciple see Him they think they’re seeing a ghost and they are terrified. They did not recognise Him. Verse 52 explains that it was because “they had not understood the loaves” and “their hearts were hardened.”

Faith, and the lack of faith, has exponential effects. Faith, while risky, is the only way to recognise God, because it’s the only requirement to know Him (Ephesians 2:8-9) and lack of faith is the fastest way to miss Him. Faith requires of us a willingness to obey and to be doers of the word, not mere hearers.

As you prepare your hearts for this week’s reading, take note of what separates those whom Jesus says have faith and those who don’t. Invite the Spirit to increase your faith, that you may have a heart whose soil is good, and ask God what it means for you to be a doer of the word in your life and your circle of influence.