June 1929
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Seed Thoughts From St. Mark By R ev . W ilfred M. H o p k in s CHAPTER IV.
7— AMONG THORNS—That is, on ground containing the roots of thorns—ground not properly cleansed. THE THORNS SPRANG UP (cf. Luke 8:7)—The process is a gradual one. CHOKED IT—Note the necessity of having the heart purified from all evil. These thorns are cares, riches, and earthly lusts (i.e., inordinate desires for earthly things, not the things them selves, nor the moderate desire for them). These things are to be guarded against (cf. Phil. 4:6; 1 Tim. 6:9; 1 John 2:15). It is to be noted that these thorns do not necessarily kill, as the stony ground did; they choke the seed and the Christian becomes unfruitful—brings no fruit to perfection (cf. Luke 8:14). It is sad to see the gradual cooling and falling away of the once zealous life. IT GAVE NO FRUIT—i.e., to the Sower, but alike for Him and for the benefit of others; hence, too often, the failure of the visible church. 8— FELL ON GOOD GROUND— All the seed is not lost; there is sure to be a harvest from faithful and patient sowing (cf. Ps. 126:6). Or, if that be not vouchsafed, the sower shall see fruit hereafter (cf. Jno. 4:36, 37). [Note, seed does not spring up immediately; we should wait the result in patient faith. Cf. Jas. 5:7.] The good ground are they which HEAR THE WORD AND RECEIVE IT (verse 20) into an honest and good heart (cf. Luke 8:15); i.e., a heart of single purpose and of definite intention. The parable halts here (as most parables do some where) because no heart is by nature honest and good (cf. Jer. 17:9). God can change it for a better (cf. Ezek. 36:26), and does so for all those who turn to Him as a consequence of hearing the Word. SOME THIRTY, etc.—i.e., some up to thirty, some up to sixty, etc. There are many variations and degrees of fruit fulness : all Christians will not produce the same amount of fruit. The difference is not in the seed, but (a) in the soil; temperaments and temptations vary; (b) in the cultivation; some are more careless and some more diligent in their use of the means of grace. 9— HE THAT HATH EARS, etc.—A favorite phrase of Christ’s, found in the first three Gospels and in the Revelation. The having ears to hear brings great responsibility. To fail or neglect to hear, ultimately involves the deafness which cannot hear. 10— THOSE ABOUT HIM—i.e., His disciples (not only the apostles) ; evidently others followed Him besides the twelve. 11— THE MYSTERY—The word means a secret thing, but one that is to be told sooner or later to the initiated, but hidden from all others. TO YOU IT IS GIVEN—Because they were followers of Him. This is the road to all spiritual knowledge (cf. Hosea 6:3). THOSE WITHOUT—i.e., those who rejected Him (cf. Rev. 22:15.) 12— THAT SEEING, etc. (cf. Isa. 6:9; Acts 28:26, 27)—It is evident that at first the hardening was wilful on their part, in order that they should not be converted; they would not see, etc., lest they should be constrained to yield. The later speaking by parables was the divine judgment of acquiescence: if a man will not see, then in the end he shall not be allowed to see. The hard ening was not of the divine will, but of theirs. 13— KNOW YE NOT . . . HOW THEN?—Not only because it was the simplest of all parables, but because it contained the fundamental principle of the kingdom.
ESIDE THE SEA—No doubt many of the things of which He spake in His parables would be visible from where He sat or stood. We may note His con stant use of the visible things to teach invisible truths; a hint for us in our work for Him. INTO THE BOAT—i.e., the boat that He had bespoken
(cf. 3:9). SAT IN THE SEA—i.e., in the boat a little way from the land. He was the first great open-air Preacher of the Gospel. 2— IN PARABLES—A parable in the New Testament is either: (1) a short saying (cf. Luke 4:23); (2) a comparison without a narrative (cf. 13:28) ; or (3) a comparison by narra tive, as in this chapter. Note that a parable is not a fable, but refers to an actual fact. 3— HEARKEN—Not only hear, but give heed; an attitude that is always necessary if we are to profit by His teaching. THE SOWER (not a sower)—Christ first of all, and then those who sow His Word (cf. verse 14). WENT FORTH—In His case from heaven, at almost infinite cost to Himself; so,!Should we go forth, not counting the cost. The seed is the Word of God, and we must sow nothing else. Alas that men so often sow the tares of vain human imaginings! 4— AS HE SOWED—Broadcast, not drilling; we are to sow everywhere (cf. Isa. 32:20; 2 Cor. 9:6). FELL BY THE WAYSIDE—Not the road, but the path across the field, trodden hard by the feet of the passengers; the heart uhplowed by the Spirit, or hardened by the tramp of materialistic thoughts. FOWLS OF THE AIR—Earthly thoughts, lawful or unlaw ful, but in this case sent by the Evil One (cf. verse 15) for this purpose. [Note the same metaphor in the case of Abram, Gen. 15:11,] How careful we should be to avoid worldly thoughts (and gossip) at the hour of worship or after hearing the Word. The devil’s purpose here is the destruction of men (cf. Luke 8 : 12 ). 5:—ON STONY GROUND-—Not ground mingled with stones, but shallow earth on the rock (cf. Luke 8:6). NOT MUCH EARTH—A mere emotional reception of the tru th ; no softening of the inner heart, which by nature is one of stone (cf. Ezek. 11:19). NO ROOT IN THEMSELVES (cf. verse 17)—The whole effect is on the surface. The root is that part of the plant which nourishes its life; without it the plant dies. IMMEDIATELY IT SPRUNG UP—The Word is accepted lightly and thoughtlessly without consideration of all that it involves and demands; the acceptance is purely emotional. 6—WHEN THE SUN WAS UP—The sun stands here for the heat of tribulation and persecution (cf. verse 17), also for general temptation or trial (cf. Luke 8:13). Just as the physical sun should further the growth of the seed, so these things should further spiritual growth (cf. Jas. 1:2, 12) ; but here there is no root (i.e., no union with Christ, for He is our only root; cf. Isa. 53:2); there is also no moisture (cf. Luke 8:6), i.e., no presence of the Holy Ghost (cf. Hosea 14:5). A lesson to be ware of mere religious emotion and to seek for the indwelling of God (cf. Eph. 3:17; Col. 2:7; Jer. 17:8). WITHERED AWAY—Wilted, and then died; the process a gradual one. THEY ARE OFFENDED (verse 17)—They only bargained for peace and joy; they did not count the cost.
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