Jesus, says he taught in parables to cater for these different characteristics. His disciples were like fertile soil and believed his teaching of the gospel of the kingdom of God, while the majority were unreceptive of the word. Hence, we should ensure that we ourselves adopt the right attitude of mind to the word of God, so that in hearing the teaching of Jesus and all God’s prophets we may be like good ground which brings forth fruit in abundance.
Jesus also likens the kingdom of God to a mustard seed which is the smallest of all the seeds in the land of Israel, but which ultimately becomes a great plant covering the earth. Thus the teaching of the kingdom of God is a very small inconsequential matter now in the minds of most people, but soon the kingdom itself will be established in Israel to rule all the nations of the earth.
Verses 3-8
Waiting for response for Mark 4:3-8Jesus emphasises the importance of receiving his teaching in the right attitude of mind. He likens his preaching to a sower sowing seed. The seed falls on different kinds of ground, representing different kinds of people: the hard hearted in which the word cannot take root; people preoccupied with the cares of this life and pleasures, preventing the word from flourishing; and others who receive the word with joy, keep it, and become fruitful in God’s service.