Today’s Reading: Mark 4:1-20; Luke 8:4-15
Once again Jesus began teaching by the lakeshore. A very large crowd soon gathered around him, so he got into a boat. Then he sat in the boat while all the people remained on the shore. He taught them by telling many stories in the form of parables, such as this one:
“Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seed. As he scattered it across his field, some of the seed fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate it. Other seed fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seed sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. But the plant soon wilted under the hot sun, and since it didn’t have deep roots, it died. Other seed fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants so they produced no grain. Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they sprouted, grew, and produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” Then he said, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” – Mark 4:1-9
Consider this. A preacher stepped onto the platform and across the stage. He stood behind the pulpit, looking out at the congregation in the pews. The Lord had given him a message and he was eager to share it with the church family. He knew it would not be an easy sermon to hear, so he had spent hours finding ways to clearly illustrate each point, adding stories and examples. His hope was that the congregation would both understand and accept the message — that it would make an impact on their lives. He had spent all morning saturated in God’s presence and the Spirit was moving through him, giving him the words to say as he stood before his people.
ANYONE WITH EARS TO HEAR SHOULD LISTEN AND UNDERSTAND.
Halfway through his first point, he noticed a difference across the congregation. Some were leaning in, bibles open, responding with amens and head nods. They were taking notes, looking up frequently to make eye contact with him. Others seemed distracted. They were listening some of the time, but also occasionally looking at their phones or whispering to the person beside them. They had seemed engaged during the worship set, but now they looked slightly bored and restless.
There were others across the sanctuary who were completely disengaged. With arms folded across their chest, there was a visible determination not to listen. By all appearances, they wanted to be anywhere but here. He was pretty sure two had fallen asleep, and one seemed to be playing a game on her phone or perhaps filling her cart so she could do a grocery pickup on her way home.
ANYONE WITH EARS TO HEAR SHOULD LISTEN AND UNDERSTAND.
As the preacher came to the end of the sermon, the worship team stepped onto the stage to lead the congregation in a closing song. Some of the team had been listening from the front pew, while others had been out of the room during the sermon. How could they lead the congregation in this holy moment if they were not prayerfully engaged?
As the band began to play, the preacher invited the congregation to respond. As they stood to their feet, he noticed several slipping out their pews and heading to the door. Were they in a rush to get to the restaurant or were they avoiding the conviction they were feeling? Many joined in the singing and a few came forward to kneel at the altar, humbly praying for God to continue the work He had begun in their hearts. Many were aware that the Spirit was working across the room, but it seemed that most were simply going through the motions. The routine of Sunday morning church was winning out over the revival the Spirit was trying to break loose across this community of believers.
ANYONE WITH EARS TO HEAR SHOULD LISTEN AND UNDERSTAND.
The farmer plants seed by taking God’s word to others. The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message, only to have Satan come at once and take it away. 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. The seed that fell among the thorns represents others who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced. And the seed that fell on good soil represents those who hear and accept God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” – Mark 4:14-20
Father God, forgive us for our lack of preparation to receive your Word each week. Thank you for the reminder today that we are entering a holy space when we unite together in worship each Sunday. Renew a passion within us and give us a fresh expectation that you are working across the room. I want to be the one leaning in and listening to your Spirit’s nudge, as I receive the message prepared by your anointed one. Lord, we pray for a revival to break out across the Church and for your righteousness to be evident in the lives of those who call themselves a follower of Jesus. May our actions plant seeds or bear fruit today, as we allow you to work through us in the lives of others. Amen.
“No one lights a lamp and then covers it with a bowl or hides it under a bed. A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light can be seen by all who enter the house. For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all.
“So pay attention to how you hear. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what they think they understand will be taken away from them.” – Luke 8:16-18