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Mark

Mark 
Day 
Day 92

1 Peter 3:15b "And always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear."

Day 92 – Mark 4

“And always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.” 1 Peter 3:15b

INVALUABLE INSIGHTS CONCERNING “THE WAYSIDE”

Imagine what the disciples would have lost out, if they had not asked Jesus to explain the parable of the Sower. The rebuke may have stung for a little bit, but that was nothing compared to the knowledge gained as Jesus drew out the meaning of His Parable of the Sower.


“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.”
MARK 4:15

1. Reference to “the birds of the air”

Jesus was obviously making a reference to “the birds of the air” which came and devoured the seed sown (Cf. Mark 4:4).

2. More serious than literal birds of the air

The literal reference must be appreciated. The birds of the air will swoop down and pick whatever seeds they can find lying on the wayside. But of far graver importance is the fact that these birds of the air were depicted as from Satan. The lessons involved are of great importance:-

a) Satan
He is personally involved in directing the work of his minions. Few realize that the Evil One is so involved in opposing the sowing of the word of God.
b) Satan comes immediately
The Evil One is not a slacker. He will swiftly come to the scene where the Word of God is being sown.
c) Takes away immediately the word that was sown in their hearts
i) The word was described as having been sown in the heart.
ii) Nevertheless the Evil One will work at taking that word out of the heart.

PRINCIPLE OF “APPROPRIATE RESPONSE”

One of the important principles Jesus sought to teach His disciples may be called “appropriate response”. When the Word of God is preached, an appropriate response must be found. If there isn’t an appropriate response to the Word of God sown, the Evil One would have an easy time snatching away the Word sown in the heart!

The believer must learn how to treasure the Word Jesus taught. Only when he learns to treasure that Word, would he carefully guard against the attempts of the Evil One to take away that which the Sower had sown in the heart!