The Scorched Seed - Mark 4:6

Mark wrote how Jesus taught the people surrounding Him, “many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine, Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow. 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”, and in chapter four and verse five of his book, Mark shares how Jesus said,“when the sun was up, it was scorched” where we read:

But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.

The verse reads, “But when the sun was up, it was scorched;” Mark began with the words, “but when” or “however, then and therefore at the time and moment” “the sun was up” which means “the sun in the sky was risen over the earth”, “it was scorched” which means “the seed sown on stony ground was burned and tortured with intense heat”. Mark shared how Jesus referred to the time when the “sun rose” over the earth, and at the heat of the day the seed sown on “rocky” soil was burned up.

The verse goes on to say, “and because it had no root, it withered away.” Mark continued with the words “and because” which means “and since and on account that” “it had no root” or “the seed sown upon the rocky soil did not have a deep root system”, “it withered away” which means “the seed fallen on stony ground became dry, wasted and pining away”. Mark shared how Jesus said the seed sown on “rocky” soil “wasted away” because it did not have the proper “root system” to keep it alive.

When we meditate upon Mark's words in this verse, we see how this second “seed” was affected. This “seed” was scattered upon “rocky ground, sprouted quickly and was burned up” when the heat of the “sun” appeared. God's desire is for people to enter into a relationship with Him through His Son Jesus, and His “gospel” must take “deep root” within a person or they fade away. Many people start out well, but when troubles, difficulties, trials and discouragements come, they leave their relationship with God. Let all who consider this second seed be certain they receive His “word” deeply and not be “burned out” when the trials and tribulations of life arise.

Next time Mark shares how Jesus said, “some fell among thorns”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".