GOOD SOIL

John Chrysostom was one of the best preachers of the early Christian church. Yet he realised that even great speakers can’t make people listen. He explained, “My preaching is addressed to all . . . but it is the duty of each one of my listeners to take what is relevant for their situation. I do not know who are sick and who are healthy. So I discuss subjects of every sort.”

In Mark 4, the parable of the sower and the soils teaches us about the importance of how we respond to the Bible. In the story, the seed is the Bible, and the different types of soil are the various people listening. The growth of the crop isn’t really down to the skill of the farmer (like preachers or Bible teachers) but how receptive the soil is.

Some listeners are like rich soil, and the Bible’s words take root in them. Other people are shallow in their interest (MARK 4:5,16) or too busy with other things in the world (VV.7,18-19). Even if they listened to the best speaker in the world, they would still soon forget the Bible truths they were told because they are not really that interested.

We need to ‘drink in’ the teaching of the Bible in our churches, youth groups and our own personal study times. While we should test everything we hear against the Bible’s words (ACTS 17:11; 2 TIMOTHY 5:16-17; 1 JOHN 4:1-6), we also need to make sure we are receptive and willing. That’s why Jesus said, “Consider carefully what you hear,” (V.24). Whether or not you benefit from a sermon is largely up to you.

Thinking it over . . .

What is your attitude towards sermons and Bible studies? Are you eager to hear what the Bible says, even if the speaker is someone you think is boring?