The Wayside Soil

Mark 4:3-4, 14-15

“Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up”…”The farmer sows the word. Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.”

How do you react to God’s word?

This type of soil is the uncultivated dirt along the path bordering the field. The Sower throws the seed, and some would land along the wayside paths where nothing grows, making the seed easy access for the birds to eat.

In this illustration, the person’s heart reflects the wayside soil. Their heart is unresponsive and apathetic, they want nothing to do with the gospel message. Because they are inattentive to the message, they experience no repentance or guilt over their sin. There is no effort to comprehend it because the adversary (the world’s pleasures and sinful behaviors) snatches away the word from their hardened hearts, so they won't believe and receive the gift of salvation. They remain dead and unresponsive to God’s invitation. They may have heard the truth, but it will not take root in their lives.

How would you describe your relationship with God?

What sins are separating you from God?

Father God, I lift the person to you whose heart is like the wayside soil. I pray that their hearts will be softened to receive the gospel. I ask that you remove anything that is hindering their path to receive you as their Lord and Savior. Please allow the seed that is planted to not be snatched from them. Allow them an opportunity for your word to take root in their heart. I pray this is Jesus’ name. Amen.

Scripture References:

Isaiah 53:1; Luke 8:12; John 10:10; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4; Hebrews 2:1; Peter 5:8; James 2:5