B-Side - Mark 4:1-20 Part 2

Thorns (worldly concerns) grow up with the wheat; we must make sure not to let these concerns choke out our faith.

Verses 10-12 are the chiastic focal point, showing that parables are like riddles, meant to teach God's people but confound unbelievers, conveying judgment on the hard-hearted.

Jesus gives an allegorical interpretation of the parable of the sower, and understanding it allows the believer to unlock the meaning of his other parables. He's instructing the apostles and the church what to expect when they sow the Word.

Two of the soils react immediately. The seed along the path is immediately eaten by the birds. The seed in the rocky soil is received with joy, but immediately falls away upon persecution.

The other two soils take longer...

- In the thorny soil, thorns (worldly concerns) are very deceptive and slow to grow, growing along with faith. We must not let them choke us out.

- In the good soil, growth happens, but it's a slow process. Sanctification is a process! Christian maturity doesn't come all at once.

Like the good soil, we must hear the Word and accept it in faith, clinging to it, and eventually the fruit will come!