Mark 4

Another part of Jesus' ministry develops here – teaching. Jesus is not only a healer. He is also a teacher (rabbi.) Jesus teaches through parables. Parables are little stories with BIG points. Often, the point is highlighted in a surprise or tension in the story. Mark shows the apostles as having trouble understanding the parables. Jesus explains the parables to the 12 in private. Sadly, hard-hearted people maybe destined to never get the parables. Notice a few things here.

 

Jesus calls his apostles "little faiths." Parables need the eyes of honesty and faith to see them for what they are. People tend to read into parables too much. Maybe this is because parables sting when we realize that we have something to learn from them. Also, realize that Mark's audience (probably common people) may have had trouble with parables, too. Why not, we do as well. Maybe that is why Mark has Jesus explaining the one on the sower. Let's look at the parables. Remember that parables are about the Kingdom of God or what life is like when God rules our hearts.

 

The Sower – we see different responses to Jesus and God Word. There are many ways to miss out on the Kingdom by getting caught up with the cares of today. But, if we persist, we will get benefits way beyond our imagination.

 

The Lamp Stand – No really a parable. You cannot keep secrets. They will come out. Bad secrets come out but also good one like the Kingdom being right in front of our noses, if we will have faith to believe it is so. And, once you cooperate with Jesus and his Kingdom - you get more. More power, more insight, more faith, more life.

 

The Growing Seed/Mustard Seed – All God needs is just a little openness to Him and that's all it will take to grow in a person. God will produce fruit of good life any anyone with any amount of trust in Him. We don't need to know "How?" or "Why?" God does this. Just enjoy that God does this in ordinary people like us. We need to be careful in our judgments because God uses any moment of openness.

 

Lastly, maybe to drive home the point of Jesus' teaching, Jesus calms a storm. Jesus shows his friends that he has the power of God. This is not showing off but it is showing THAT Jesus has the backing of God. Notice that his friends are terrified, maybe more of Jesus than the storm. They just don't quite get it.