A Heart of Rich Soil

~~~ 2 Samuel 7:4-17 ~~~ Psalm 89 ~~~ Mark 4:1-20 ~~~

Throughout the pages of the Old Testament we see God
housed in the ark of the covenant.
We see how this ark is carefully placed in a tent.
This ark is carried around with the people and is guarded.
It is honored and revered as a place of holiness.

God has boundaries and is kept hidden away.

We know that God does not have boundaries and he cannot be contained.

David is filled gratitude to the point of wanting to build
a wonderful cedar temple for the Lord.

“Here I am living in a house of cedar, 
but the ark of God dwells in a tent!”

God is with us just as he was with David...
God reminds him how he took him from caring for sheep
 to caring for the people of Israel.
The Lord makes promises to David
for his continued care
as a father cares for his son.

The Gospel brings us into the presence of Jesus...
God made flesh...one of us.

Jesus leaves in a boat to separate himself
from the growing crowd.
Jesus needs to set physical
 boundaries so he can teach the people.

This scene has been called the 'Sermon on the Sea' by some authors.

Now Jesus shares his parable of the seeds.
This is one of his more important parables.
There were many small farmers in this area.

Because the best plots of land were reserved
for those growing for the rulers,
a common farmer may not have very good soil.

The people could understand
 the many problems related to their farm land.

They also knew that in spite
of their poor soil; they were still able
to harvest some crops.

The astonishing yield of thirty, sixty, and hundredfold
did grab their attention.
It was unheard of to have that great of a yield.

Considering all that the early followers of Jesus went through,
 it is amazing that his teachings have survived
some two thousand years later.

We are part of the great mystery of the Kingdom of God.
The twelve apostles needed Jesus
to further explain his teachings to them.

When have you found yourself
needing God to clarify something for you?

Because his words are living;
meaning they are alive for us today,
it is of utmost importance that we pray for understanding.

What kind of soil waits in your heart for the seeds of his words?
Is it shallow? Is it rocky?
Is it tilled, moist and ready to receive?

...But those sown on rich soil are the ones who hear 

the word and accept it and bear fruit thirty 
and sixty and a hundredfold.

I do want to bear fruit a hundredfold, but
I will be grateful for even thirty-fold.
Pray that God blesses you with fertile
soil within your heart.
Pray that you are able to hear and accept.