(1) What did it need to be a good soil?
If we reversed what had happened to the first 3 soils we will find out:
A good soil is one without the birds v.4; or no Satan snatching away
A good soil is free of rock underneath the soil so that the seed may have enough soil to sprout with v.5-6; or receiving of the word with no root and could not endure v.16-18
A good soil is free of thorns and would not choking the plant v.7; or we have room to grow. We do not have worldly cares, the seductiveness of wealth and the desire for other things in our heart v.19.
(2) What were the parables about?
4:2 He taught them many things in parables, and in his teaching said to them: 4:3 “Listen!
4:2 He taught them many things in parables, and in his teaching said to them: 4:3 “Listen!
4:9 And he said, “Whoever has ears to hear had better listen!”
4:12 so that although they look they may look but not see,
and although they hear they may hear but not understand,
so they may not repent and be forgiven.”
In other words, Jesus as the sower wanted the seed to bear fruit. The hearer needs to be in good soil as stated above. Then we can bear fruit. What bearing fruit refer to? Listen, understand, so that they would repent and be forgiven.
and although they hear they may hear but not understand,
so they may not repent and be forgiven.”
In other words, Jesus as the sower wanted the seed to bear fruit. The hearer needs to be in good soil as stated above. Then we can bear fruit. What bearing fruit refer to? Listen, understand, so that they would repent and be forgiven.
(3) Audience of the Word of Jesus needs to guard ourselves from the danger of Satan, keep the word in our hearts, and leave room for the word to grow. Then we will have chances for the Word to be listened to, and understood. The result of the Word, that is, repentance, would come after listening and understanding. Finally, the forgiveness of God would come.
Audrey
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