Listen! Consider the sower who went out to sow. (Mark 4:3)
I was thinking today about the two words that start that verse.
Listen.
Consider.
The word translated “consider” in this translation, is sometimes not translated at all in English Bibles. It really is more of an interjection, meant to get people to pay attention to what was going to be said next.
In the King James version, it’s often translated, “behold.”
But at any rate, those two words, “listen” and “consider” are the main point of Jesus’ first parable.
Listen to his words. Don’t let them slip in one ear and out the other.
But don’t just listen to his words, consider them. Pay close attention to them. Let them get deeply rooted into your heart.
Then when the hard times in your life inevitably come, your faith won’t wither, but thrive.
And finally, let his words shape how you live your life each day. Don’t let anything choke out God’s word in your life, but let them bear fruit.
My church often puts it this way: head, heart, hands.
Is God’s word reaching your head, heart, and hands?
Moment to Moment (Bible blog) 