Buckeye Valley News And Buckeye Review

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SUNDAY
Uniform
International
SCHOOL
LESSON
By HAROLD L. LUNDQUIST, D. D.
Of The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago.
Released by Western Newspaper Union.

Lesson for January 23
Lesson subjects and Scripture texts selected and copyrighted by International Council of Religious Education; used by permission.

JESUS TEACHES IN PARABLES
LESSON TEXT—Mark 4:1-9, 26-32.
GOLDEN TEXT—If any man hath ears to hear, let him hear.—Mark 4:23.

Parables were often used by our Lord, particularly when He had truth to reveal which was not for unbelieving hearts that had hardened themselves against it (see Matt. 13:10-16).

The method is that of telling an earthly story, true to life (hence, not a fable), which is placed alongside of the spiritual truth it is designed to teach. It thus differs from an allegory, which gives the meaning with the story (see John 15:1-6).

Jesus used parables in our lesson to teach the truth that the good seed of the Word of God will be received in various ways and will bring forth widely differing results. He—the Lord—was the Sower, and the field was the world (Matt. 13:37, 38).

We note first that in that field there were and are—

I. Four Kinds of Soil (Mark 4:1-9).

The reception of the seed is determined by the condition of the soil. The great field was essentially of one kind of soil, but it had become widely different in its ability to take in the seed and bear fruit.

The interpretation of this parable is given by our Lord in the verses immediately following (vv. 3-20). It has striking application to our day.

A road, or beaten pathway, was a common thing in the fields of Palestine. On such hard soil a seed found no place to grow, and the birds carried it away. Such is the condition of a man who permits the heavy and sinful traffic of this world to harden his heart against spiritual truth. If our heart has reached that stage we should ask God to break it up. The birds (always a symbol of evil in the Bible) are Satan and his emissaries. They are always busy about carrying away the Word of God when it is truly preached.

The rocky soil was a thin layer of good soil on a rocky ledge. At first this caused rapid growth, but without deep roots it could not survive the heat of summer. This is the one who enthusiastically responds to the gospel appeal, but being without real conviction and repentance, he has no stability when persecution comes.

The thorny ground—where the growing grain was choked by weeds—typifies the professed believer who lives in worldliness. The friend of the world is God's enemy (James 4:4). Note the things which destroy spiritual life (v. 19), and shun them.

In the good ground—open to receive and ready to yield itself for the growth of the seed—there is abundant harvest. Even here there is a difference in the amount of fruit. Why not be a 'hundredfold' believer?

Changing the picture a little our Lord now speaks of—

II. Normal Growth and a Good Harvest (4:26-29).

This parable, found only in Mark, has a lesson for the sower. He is not to expect the harvest immediately after the time of sowing. There is a period of patient waiting while God is producing the growth (and only He can do it!)—then the joy of harvest.

There are many lessons to learn here. We who serve the Lord in teaching or preaching the Word are too impatient, too eager to be able to announce results. God is always willing that things should mature naturally and in due season. Let us wait for Him and be at rest in our spirits (v. 27).

Then let us be glad as the seed begins to show signs of maturing, but let us not be slow to gather the harvest when it is ready. Some forget to gather the spiritual fruit of their labors, possibly having long since lost patience and interest.

We should also be encouraged by this parable to continue sowing the seed, knowing that it will find place in the hearts of some and bring forth fruit unto eternal life.

Next we are warned to be on our guard against accepting or approving—

III. Abnormal Growth and an Evil Harvest (4:30-32).

The mustard is an herb, not a tree; hence this parable gave warning that there would be an overgrown religious system calling itself Christian. The birds are (as in the parable of the kinds of soil) evil men, or "isms," or organizations eager to take shelter in a religious system without spiritual power.

The church had such an abnormal growth when Constantine espoused Christianity as a political move, mixed it with paganism, and elevated it to a position of worldly power.

All this was and still is contrary to God's plan for the church. He wanted a spiritual body distinguished by lowliness, meekness and service. These are the things that mark the true Christian spirit. The marks of true Christianity are always those of likeness to Him who said: "I am meek and lowly in heart," who came "not to be ministered unto but to minister."

Into the Light
Ignorance and conceit are twins.
The power to suffer is measured by the power to love. It is founded at its best in God Himself.

God be merciful unto us and bless us; and cause His face to shine upon us.—Psalm 67:1.

Yea, Lord, I believe that Thou art the Christ, the Son of God which should come into the world—John 11:27.