Once again Jesus taught by the sea. A large crowd gathered, so he sat in a boat while they listened from the shore. He spoke in parables:
“A farmer scattered seed. Some fell on a path, eaten by birds. Some on rocky soil sprouted quickly, but withered under the sun. Some among thorns were choked. Some on good soil produced a crop—thirty, sixty, a hundredfold. Anyone with ears should listen.”
Later he explained: the seed is the Word. The path is those who hear but Satan takes it away. The rocky soil are those who receive joyfully but fall away in trouble. The thorns are those overcome by worry, wealth, or desire. The good soil are those who hear, accept, and bear fruit abundantly (Mark 4:1–20).
He added: “Would anyone hide a lamp? No, it shines on a stand. All that is hidden will be revealed. Pay attention: those who listen gain more; those who ignore lose even what they have” (Mark 4:21–25).
Swedenborg: The Lord is the sower; the seed is truth. On the path are people who reject truth; on rocky soil, those who accept outwardly but not inwardly; among thorns, those caught in lusts for evil. In good soil, truth takes root in those who love and practice it, bearing fruit (Life §90).
Each person has a “measure” made complete in the next life—evil for those who loved evil, good for those who loved good (Secrets of Heaven §7984). The Lord’s providence seeks to unite good and truth, removing the divided state of being part good/part evil, which destroys humanity’s image of the Lord (Divine Providence §16).
Nicoll: Great knowledge is difficult, as Christ said, “If you can bear it” (Mark 4:33; John 16:12). True knowledge requires sacrifice and inner struggle (Commentary I, p. 209).
CREDITS
Dr. Sue Johnson, “Love Sense” https://www.youtube.com/@DrSueJohnson
Emanuel Swedenborg, www.swedenborg.com
John Clark Echols, www.clarkechols.com
Solomon Keal “Affection for Truth” www.solomonkeal.net
Podcast Host: John Clark Echols
Music Credit: Solomon Keal
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I invite you to continue to listen to the next episode. Be well.
