THE GOSPEL OF THE SERVANT KING

Do You Have Ears That Hear?

MARK 4:1–20
Daniel L. Akin

Introduction
Mark 4 teaches us there is a spiritual connection between the heart and the ear. Four times in
this text Jesus makes this connection clear. What is Jesus’ point in emphasizing our need to hear?

We Must Sow the Seed of the Gospel That People Might Hear the Word (Mark
4:1–9)
The text says “He taught them many things by parables” (v. 2). Just as Jesus opens the
parable with an admonition to pay attention, so He closes it with one: “Anyone who has ears to
hear should listen!” (v. 9 HCSB).

If We Do Not Listen to the Word, We Will Not Benefit from the Gospel (Mark
4:10–12)
The Word of the gospel hardens the resistant and the rebellious while it is enthusiastically
received by the receptive. Those outside are not denied the possibility of belief, but if they persist
in their unbelief they will not receive more evidence or revelation.

The Fruitfulness of the Seed of the Gospel Depends upon the Receptivity of the
Hearer (Mark 4:13–20)
Jesus’ words note the essential and foundational nature of the parable of the soils. If they do
not understand this one, they will struggle to understand the others.
1. The Soil of Some Hearts Is Hard (Mark 4:14–15 [cf. 4:4])
The sower in this story is Jesus, or anyone who shares the gospel. The seed is the
Word of God. The path represents the hard-hearted individual. For whatever
reason, these are hardened to the gospel. The book closes and the service ends, and
so do their ears and hearts.
2. The Soil of Some Hearts Is Shallow (Mark 4:16–17 [cf. 4:5–6])
The next soil is welcoming but not substantive enough to maintain the growth of
the seed. The people to whom Jesus is referring with this soil are those who hear
the Word and immediately receive it with joy. However, these people are shallow
and have no roots. They are here today and gone tomorrow.
3. The Soil of Some Hearts Is Distracted (Mark 4:18–19 [cf. 4:7])
This group of people undoubtedly hears and receives the Word better than the first
two soils. However, they eventually get distracted by worry, wealth, and lust for
other things. This life is more important to them than the life to come. Stuff is more
 important to them than the Savior.
4. The Soil of Some Hearts Is Fruitful (Mark 4:20 [cf. 4:8])
The final soil is noticeably different than the first three. It represents those who
hear the Word, accept it, and bear fruit. Their hearing is active, not passive. They
aggressively pursue the Word, allow it to take root, and rejoice in its abundant
growth.

Conclusion
Christianity is a religion of the Word and therefore of the ear. Hearing God’s Word is a
dangerous thing. What you do with it is critical to your soul. He who has ears to hear, let him
hear.

© 2013 by Thomas Nelson