Gospel of Mark Series: Mark 4 (focus on verses 1-20)
"Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seed..." (Mark 4:3, NLT)
I love the parables of Jesus. Stories capture my imagination, and Jesus' parables help me understand God's kingdom in creative ways. But—and this sounds terrible to say—there is one parable I've never quite liked. It makes me uncomfortable! This is not a bad thing. Good stories make us uncomfortable as we wrestle with their themes. When the movie Inside Out was released, I left the theater a different person than when I entered. I think Jesus had this same goal in mind when he told his stories.
The parable I am referring to is known as the Parable of the Sower. It's a simple story about seed that fell along four different types of earth: path, rocks, thorns, and good soil. Only the seed that fell on good soil grew and produced a crop. The other three met various unfortunate fates (eaten by birds, scorched by the sun, and choked by thorns, respectively!).
This parable always gave me the impression that we only have a one-in-four chance of producing a good crop. Those aren't great odds! What happens to the other 75% of us who aren't "good soil"? Will we be left out?
My understanding of this parable expanded when I read J. Ellsworth Kalas' wonderful book Parables from the Backside. The chapter about this parable, titled "Seasons of the Soil," challenges us not to be so rigid in our categorization of soil. As there are seasons in life, so there are seasons in the soil of the soul.
I've been the concrete path, unwilling (or, in some cases, unable) to absorb God's word. I've been both the rocky and thorny ground, providing a difficult environment for God’s word to grow in me. And, thanks to God's grace, every now and then I'm good soil. Something clicks, and God is able to bring something good out of my stubborn heart.
We can have an in-depth conversation about each type of soil. But today, I want to say a brief word about the rocky soil. I find myself feeling sympathetic toward anyone facing a season of this shallow ground.
Jesus clearly told us the circumstances this type of soil is facing.
The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don't have deep roots, they don't last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God's word. (Mark 4:16-17, NLT, emphasis mine.)
Those plagued with rocky soil lack deep roots. This doesn't necessarily mean they've never had deep roots. But maybe at this moment, something has shaken their foundation.
I wonder—is the church a safe place for rocky soil? There are people in our churches right now who are thinking about walking away from God. They have "wilted under the hot sun" (v. 6) of life and don't think they can go on. If they leave, will we judge them for not having enough faith? Or will we try to shelter them from the scorching sun?
Kalas says that "[one] time when the soil of the soul is inclined to be shallow is in periods of personal loneliness." I can vouch for this. I think we all could!
Years ago, I was going through a season of rocky soil. The only thing that got me through it was the love and support of other people.
My friends couldn't grow deeper roots for me. Only God could do that. But they could provide respite for me while in such a fragile condition. My roots weren't planted firmly enough to soak up God's hope. So they had to drip hope to me with one of those watering globe things. (I know pretty much zilch about plants, but I know that's a real thing!)
And you know what? It worked! Slowly but surely, day by day, my roots grew deeper. I began leaning on God more. Life was still hard, but my trust was growing.
And it was all because people noticed my soil was shallow and decided to do something about it. They lovingly scooped me up and provided a safe space where my roots could heal and strengthen.
If you are going through a season of rocky soil—and the problems of life have withered your faith—I pray this small encouragement can drip some hope to you. You're not alone. Tomorrow I may find myself on rocky ground in need of hope. And you may be the one holding the water globe.
J. Ellsworth Kalas beautifully summed up why no soil should be counted out:
The soil that is so resistant that birds carry away the seed before it takes root, or so shallow that a sprout springs up and dies within a day, or so encumbered with itself that its weeds choke out the seed of the Kingdom, is also the soil that can bring forth abundantly. I believe there are seasons in the soil of the soul. Yours and mine. I dare not, therefore, give up hope for any soil.
Questions to Ponder:
What season(s) of your life have you been rocky soil? Who cared for your roots while you were in that fragile state?
Do you know anyone on the verge of walking away from God because of life's problems? How can you offer them hope while their roots heal?
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