The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1944-01-21

LESSON IEAI-MafK 4.l-S, Zo-oZ.
GOLDEN TEXT-H any man hath ears
10 hear, let him hear.-Mark 4:23.
Parallels were often used by our
Lord, particularly when He had
truth to reveal which was not for
unbelieving hearts that had hard
ened themselves against it (see
Matt. 13:10-16).
The method is that of telling an
earthly story, true to life (hence, not
fable), which is placed alongside
of the spiritual truth it is designed
to teach. 1t thus differs from an
allegory, which gives the meaning
with the story (see John 1910.
Jesus used parallels in our lesson
to teach the truth that the good seed
of the Word of God will be received
in various ways and will bring forth
widely differing results. He-the
Lord-was the Sewer, and the field
was the world (Matt. 1887, 38).
We note first that in that field
there were and are
1. Four Kinds of Soil MARK
4:1-9).
The reception of the seed is de-
termined by the condition of the soil.
The great field was essentially of one
kind of soil, but it had become wide
ly different in it's ability to take in
the seed and bear fruit.
The Interpretation of this parable
is given by our Lord in the verses
Immediately following wv. 3-20). 1t
has striking application to our day.
A road, or beaten pathway, was a
common thing in the fields of Pales-
tine. On such hard soil seed found
no place to grow, and the birds car
ried it away. Such is the condition
of man who permits the heavy
and sinful traffic of this world to
harden his heart against spiritual
truth. If our heart has reached that
stage we should ask God to break
it up. The birds (always symbol
of evil in the Bible) are Satan and
his emissaries. They are always
busy about carrying away the Word
of God when it is truly preached.
The rocky soil was a thin layer Of
good soil on a rocky ledge. At first
this caused rapid growth, but with
out deep roots it could not survive
the heat of summer. This is the one
who enthusiastically responds to the
gospel appeal, but being without real
Z conviction and repentance, he has
no stability when persecution comes.
The thorny ground-where the
growing grain was choked by weeds
-typifies the protested believer who
lives in worldliness. The friend Of
the world is Gods enemy DANES
4:4). Note the things which destroy
spiritual life ". 1917, and shun them.
In the good ground-open to receive
and ready to yield itself for the
growth of the seed-there is abun-
dant harvest. Even here there is a
difference in the amount of fruit.
Why not be "hundredfold" be-
lever?
Changing the picture little our
Lord now speaks Of
III. Normal Growth and Good
Harvest (4:26-29).
This parable, found only in Mark,
has a lesson for the sower. He is
not to expect the harvest immedi-
ately after the time of sowing. There
is a period of patient waiting while
God is producing the growth (and
only He can do it!)-then the joy Of
harvest.
There are many lessons to learn
here. We who serve the Lord in
teaching or preaching the Word are
too impatient, too eager to be able
to announce results. God is always
willing that things should mature
naturally and in due season. Let
us wait for Him and be at rest in
our spirits ". 27).
Then let us be glad as the seed
begins to show signs of maturing,
but let US not be slow to gather
the harvest when it is ready. Some
forget to gather the spiritual fruit
of their labors, possibly having long
since lost patience and interest.
We should also be encouraged by
tlllS RdA dUlC W COllI1llQC oOWllS tAlC
seed, knowing that it will find place
in the hearts of some and bring forth
fruit unto eternal life.
Next we are warned to be on our
guard against accepting or approx
ing
III. Abnormal Growth and an Evil
Harvest (4:3G32).
The mustard is an herb, not a
tree; hence this parable gave warn
ing that there would be an over
grown religious system calling itself
Christian. The birds are las in the
parable Of the kinds Of soiD evil
men, or "isms," or organizations
eager to take shelter in a religious
system without spiritual power.
The church had such an abnormal
growth when Constantine espoused
Christianity as a political move.
mixed it with paganism, and ele-
waited 1t to a position of worldly
power.
All this was and still is contrary
to Gods plan for the church. He
wanted spiritual body distinguished
by lowliness, meekness and service.