A New Garden

Based on Mark 3-5

"Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow:" Mark 4:3

So many wondrous miracles and acts of Jesus are listed in the book of Mark. As we discussed in our Zoom Ladies Fellowship, these chapters are just full of examples of how Jesus is God, showing forth His almighty power through these many acts. One particular story I focused on this time was the sower planting seeds. As we think back to Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden, we remember how Adam came forth from the earth, and Eve from Adam, and so on. Now, there's a new garden & harvest of people which God wants to create! In this parable, we find out how we an be good soil with the Word of God planted in us. Then, God plants & positions us to spread the Word to others!

"And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred." Mark 4:4‭-‬8

There are many ways in which we block God's Word from entering into our hearts. In doing so, we cannot grow! We cannot become that new garden which prospers and bears fruit if we allow the above listed things to take place. We must be the good ground, bringing the increase which continues to multiply! The garden of Eden was one location, but God desires this new garden to fill the whole earth, every heart & soul! Jesus breaks down each part of this parable to His disciples:

"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."
Mark 4:15

We can't let The Word go in one ear, and out the other! We have to think on it and apply it to our lives!

"And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 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."
Mark 4:16‭-‬17.

Don't have a stony heart toward God which does not allow His Word to take root! We can't happily receive His Word & let fear take it away. As said in another chapter of this reading, we need faith like a mustard seed (Mark 4:31)! It may seem small at first, but it surpasses all the other plants!

"And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, 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."
Mark 4:18‭-‬19.

This is the opposite of the last...instead of having bad things scare us out of obeying God's Word, we almost must beware of the enticing temptations we might want to partake in. These things may look good, but they might become obsessions. The riches of this life are nothing compared to the treasures we'll find in His Word, and the treasures we can store up in heavenly places!

"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."
Mark 4:20.

Good ground is good ground! It's rooted & based in the Word of God, simple as that! That's where true prosperity is. That's where true life is! That's the new garden God is preparing. Lord, help us to prepare our hearts to be a part of this harvest in Jesus' Name!