Mark 4:23-2923If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. 24And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. 25For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath. 26And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; 27And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. 28For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. 29But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come. (Mark 4:23‑29)
“IF ANY MAN have ears to hear, 1 let him hear.” This is the send time that Jesus used this expression in talking to the people. All of us, young or old, know what it is to sit under the sound of the Word, or to be reading it, but to have our thoughts afar off so that we are not taking in what is put before us. In the last book of the Bible (Rev. 2 and 3), the expression is repeated seven times “He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear.”
In our present chapter the Lord also warns: “Take heed what ye hear.” We are reminded that there is much about us that only pretends to be true, but is actually the imagination or wickedness of false teachers. May it be our desire, like the psalmist, to say in reality: “I will hear what God the LORD will speak.” Ps. 85:8.
“With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you; and unto you that hear shall more be given. For he that hath, to him shall be given; and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath (v. 24-25). Spiritual blessings that result in our earnest desire to learn God’s ways, will always increase in additional blessing and growth. This, in turn, will cause the happy soul to communicate these things to others and he is then even further enriched. What a wonderful multiplication table this is! On the other hand, the believer who is indifferent and careless about the truth that he hears and is not really entertaining the Word in his heart, nor communicating it to others, will soon lose even what he seems to have. Saint of God, cherish the marvelous truth of God’s precious Word. Tell it to others and let its practical effect be shown in your own walk and ways. God will It is always tragic to see any of the Lord’s redeemed ones neglecting the truth and allowing worldly pleasures to take over their lives. If any reader may now be in such a place, heed well these solemn words of the Lord Jesus, and remember He is gracious to again enrich your life when true repentance and confession cry out: “Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation.” Ps. 51:12.
“And He said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.” v. 26-27. In the earlier parable of this chapter, the Lord spoke of Himself as the Sower of the seed. Now in this following parable it would seem He is showing a picture of Himself returning to heaven, after sowing the seed while on earth, and yet the fruit of the sowing goes on — and men looking on can not tell how this is so. True it is that the Lord is no longer on earth, but unknown to the natural man, the Holy Spirit is here and faithful witnesses and preachers of the truth are given to this wicked world, so that the gospel continues to go out and fruit still comes forth.
But soon the harvest will be complete and then the sickle will be put forth. What is real will be brought into its eternal reward and that which is unfit for the harvest (unbelievers) cast out. These are solemn thoughts indeed. Are you ready for that harvesting? Faith in Christ, as your personal Saviour, can alone assure your eternity when that day comes.
ML-06/30/1963