| From the Pastor's Desk - THOUGHTS FOR THE JOURNEY |
 |
| Title: "Types of Listeners" |
Text: Mark 4
|
|
Jesus’ well known Parable of the Sower is as contemporary in its meaning as the listener reading this page. It illustrates the four basic responses listeners today give to the message of Jesus.
“Along the path” listeners hear the message, but Satan immediately takes it away. “Rocky ground” listeners receive the message with joy, but it never takes root in their hearts, so when difficulty comes along they give up and fall away. “Thorny” listeners let the pursuit of riches, security and various desires choke out the message. “Good Soil” listeners hear the word, accept it and let it bear fruit in their lives (verses 1-20).
Good soil listeners are those who really want to listen and as they do so they will understand the Gospel message because nothing is hidden except to be revealed; nor is anything secret except to come to light (vv. 21-23) . However, as a listener pay attention to what you hear (vv. 24-25); for the world is full of false prophets, gospels, philosophies and religions– don’t be deceived.
Any person who wants to can understand the teachings of Jesus. It doesn’t require special training, wisdom or understanding. Understanding is God’s work in us through the Holy Spirit who causes the seed to grow in us (vv. 26-29).
The seed of the gospel grows in the human heart as we are willing to let God teach us and work in our lives. It begins like the mustard seed, about the size of a grain of pepper, and grows into a life giving tree of life (vv.30-32).
Jesus taught in parables using everyday things in the natural world to explain the spiritual (vv.33-34). Jesus is the greatest teacher who has ever lived! But, do not make the mistake of thinking of him only as a human teacher like Mohammad or thousands of others claiming to have the final word from God.
Mark 4 concludes with Jesus calming the stormy sea. The disciples had heard their Rabbi teach and were amazed. They were yet to learn that Jesus is the God/Man. “Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey him?”
Who indeed?! Certainly someone more than a human religious teacher for who can calm the stormy sea other than the one who created it in the very beginning. Jesus is God come to us in human form. He is not just any teacher. He is the Teacher, our Redeemer and Lord. Do you have ears that hear what Jesus is teaching?
Shalom in Jesus,
Pastor Milt
