And he said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand? For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light.”
Mark 4:21-22
Jesus wrapped His teaching in parables in order to make the truth of the kingdom both memorable and searchable. The stories were attention-getting and stuck with the hearers. And the deeper explanation struck His disciples with deep truth. They are still striking as we uncover them today. And the words of Jesus shine light on contemporary issues and our own hearts. The parables of Jesus bring wisdom and insight.
The parable of the soils (Mark 4:1-20) teaches us to be faithful in the proclamation of the gospel, sowing gospel seed every where we can. We do not control the soil in which truth lands. But we still faithfully proclaim the message. And when prepared hearts receive the Word of God in the gospel, the kingdom of God expands organically by His efforts. We cannot control the response to the gospel. But we do steward the sowing of the message. God intends for it to take root, thrive, and bear fruit where He wills it.
I am reminded again that for me, as a follower of Jesus, as a citizen of His kingdom, I must submit to a process where I obey Him faithfully, trusting God to do His work with what I offer Him. Like the sower, I must be faithful to share the life of Jesus, the truth of the gospel, and my story with all people around me. But then it is up to God’s Holy Spirit and the power of gospel truth to plant itself in the soil of the heart of the hearer. I should be faithful, but it is God Who draws heart to Himself, convicts consciences, and redeems souls for His glory.
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