Mark 4:10

Mark 4:10 And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. After Jesus shared the parable of the sower, many of the crowd evidently left, not truly understanding the meaning, just as many people today read or hear the Bible preached and go away without understanding its meaning.  Still, some people stayed close to the disciples and Jesus, seeking a better understanding of what Jesus was really saying.  If we want to truly understand the truth of God, we must stay close to Jesus.  Until a person comes to God through faith in Jesus Christ, God's word will never have real meaning.  Verse eleven adds, And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:  Jesus told those around Him, those who came to Him for understanding, that it was given to them the ability to understand the mystery of the kingdom of God, and if we are to understand that mystery, we must first come to God through faith in Christ, and then He will help us understand.  Verse twelve continues, That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.  Those who were without I believe were those who didn't have enough desire to learn more about God's kingdom by staying close to Jesus.  God did not prevent them from coming to Jesus to understand His teachings, but their own lack of interest did.  This is still true today.  Those who have their eyes and ears spiritually attuned to God will understand His word. Verse thirteen states, And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables? After saying that He spoke in parables so those of the world, those who did not know Him personally, would not understand, Jesus asked the disciples how they, His disciples, didn't know what the parable meant.  He then asked how they would understand all parables if they didn't understand this one.  As followers of Christ, we have that personal relationship with Him, and we should be able to understand His teachings, even if they are in the form of parables.  Still, Jesus explained the meaning of the parable to them.  If we are having difficulty understanding God's word, we need to prayerfully ask for His help in understanding what He is saying to us.  God will never leave us confused if we are willing to patiently await His answer.  Verse fourteen states, The sower soweth the word.  Jesus said the sower sowed the Word, and this is our responsibility as Christians.  We cannot control how it will be received, but we can control whether we sow it or not.  Verse fifteen adds, And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. Jesus said some hear the Word by the wayside, but Satan prevents them from ever accepting it.  The choice is still theirs, but they listen to Satan's deceit instead of God's truth.  Verse sixteen continues, And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; Verse seventeen concludes, And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.  These two verses deal with the same seed.  As Jesus said, like a seed on stony ground, some people will gladly receive the gospel but have no root of faith in it.  Then, when trouble arises because of their faith, they are offended by the Word.   Verse eighteen says, And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word.  Verse nineteen adds, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.  Others are like a seed sown in thorns, where concerns about and love of the riches of the world choke the Word out before it can grow, and it becomes unfruitful.  As followers of Christ, we cannot allow worldly concerns to keep us from being fruitful for Christ.  Verse twenty continues, And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.  Finally, some people are like the good ground, where the Word grows and is productive in God's kingdom, though not all to the same degree.  We as Christians need to be producing fruit for God, to the best of our ability.  If you have heard the Word, the gospel of Christ, my prayer for you if you haven't, allow it to take root in your life today and that you will become productive in sharing God's Word.