These parables should remind us of the Parable of the Sower.
The sower sows to the edges of his field, some seed fell upon the path and was
snatched up by Satan. Some seed fell upon rocky soil, sprouted quickly with
joy, but had shallow roots that could not withstand persecution. Some soil fell
among the thorns, and the cares of this world (i.e. pursuit of wealth) chocked
the seedlings to death. But some seed fell into good soil, and it yielded
thirtyfold, sixty fold, and even hundredfold!
But before we read these parables from Mark, I want to read
one of my ‘life verses’ from Hebrews,
“Without
faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must
believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (11:6).
The reason this is a life/ministry verse is because it
reveals the one thing that pleases God, the one thing that He is always working
on in our lives—FAITH! I know that whatever season I am in, whatever trial I
face, whatever temptation is before me—God is always working on and desires one
thing from me—precious faith!