Sower Sows the Word

Mark 4:14-20   
14 The sower sows the word. 15 And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. 16 These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17 and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word's sake, immediately they stumble. 18 Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, 19 and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 20 But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”

God's word is like the rain from heaven that causes growth as Isaiah wrote, but it must take root first.  The enemy waits to dissuade us from listening and taking to heart the gospel that is God's very word to us for a future and hope.  We hear atheists scoff and others say there is some other way, and we close our ears.  Others hear the word of God, yet don't really take it to heart, having only gotten excited about a new thing they heard.  When they are pressed or circumstances make it difficult to believe, some just fall right away and say they "tried" Jesus.  When life's pursuits of wealth or position mean more than eternity, some forget what God says and live for themselves.  Ah, but the few who hear, accept, take to heart, and obey the word they heard are free and in hope bring pleasure to their maker and Lord.  Their new life has meaning and purpose for all time, no matter the circumstance or what they want out of life.