These parables should remind us of the Parable of the Sower.
The sower sows to the edges of his field, some seed fell upon the path and was
snatched up by Satan. Some seed fell upon rocky soil, sprouted quickly with
joy, but had shallow roots that could not withstand persecution. Some soil fell
among the thorns, and the cares of this world (i.e. pursuit of wealth) chocked
the seedlings to death. But some seed fell into good soil, and it yielded
thirtyfold, sixty fold, and even hundredfold!
But before we read these parables from Mark, I want to read
one of my ‘life verses’ from Hebrews,
“Without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (11:6).
The reason this is a life/ministry verse is because it
reveals the one thing that pleases God, the one thing that He is always working
on in our lives—FAITH! I know that whatever season I am in, whatever trial I
face, whatever temptation is before me—God is always working on and desires one
thing from me—precious faith!
THE PARABLE OF THE SEED GROWING SECRETLY (Mark 4:26-29)
There are three scenes in this parable, (1) the sower sows
seed, (2) the sower waits patiently, and (3) the sower reaps the harvest.
1.
First, the sower scatters seed upon the
ground—the focus here is the good soil.
2.
But the primary focus of this parable is upon
the second scene. As the sower waits patiently, he goes to sleep and rises as
he normally would. The seed grows without his help! There is nothing he can do
to make the seed grow. He has sowed his seed in confidence that it will grow!
In time, a blade can be seen, then an ear, then the full grain, until it
ripens.
3.
The third scene then shows the us that a sickle
is taken to the grain for the harvest—the very purpose of the sowing is that
there is a harvest to come!
There were many who were looking to Jesus to become a
conquering Messiah. They were focused upon their freedom from the Romans, not
the kingdom of God. The kingdom on earth would be established by faith—faith
that Jesus is the Son and heir of God, faith that Jesus paid for our sins on
the cross making us righteous before God, faith that His resurrection is the
evidence of our faith that promises us new life! And don’t forget! Faith that
He is coming back as our soon coming King!
When we scatter the seed of our testimony, the word of God,
we also have to patient like the farmer. In faith we know that our testimony is
effective! In faith we know that word of God will go forth and accomplish that
for which the Lord set it out to accomplish. We must have faith that it has the
power to transform lives and change eternal destinies.
Do
you believe that the word of God has the power to transform lives? Do
you believe that the word of God has the power to change eternal destinies? How
do you know if you really believe?
If you really believe that this word has the power to
transform lives and change eternal destinies, then you will not be able to keep
it to yourself! You will do whatever it takes to get it out! To sow seed
wherever you can! If not then that just cold blood!
THE PARABLE OF THE MUSTARD SEED (Mark 4:30-34)
The mustard seed is the smallest of all agricultural seeds
in Palistine, yet it grows into a large plant (8-12ft high). The mustard plant
would be considered a tree because it was common for birds to make the nest in
plant. Israel expected the Messiah to come as a conquering king, not a
suffering servant. But in his earthly ministry, He planted seed, and nourished
the faith of his disciples. Their faith was very small, like a mustard seed,
too small to be His generals, but this faith would grow and become large and
fruitful. They would bear thirtyfold, sixtyfold and even a hundredfold!
Jesus spent three years with the disciples, but their faith
was only a mustard seedk
A REAL-LIFE PARABLE OF FAITH (Mark 4:35-41)
Most of Mark’s Gospel does not feature
Jesus’ teaching or parables, but rather the accounts of Jesus’ life and
ministry. Sometimes, these accounts are parabolic in themselves. The account of
Jesus Calming the Storm is set in parabolic contrast to the Parables of the Sower,
the Seed Growing in Secret and the Mustard Seed.
But don’t be confused by this
‘living parable,’ because Mark would not have you believe that this is a
fanciful story…He gives way too many eye-witness details for that. This account
came from an actual eyewitness…probably Peter, Mark’s mentor.
On that very evening, Jesus and
his disciples left the crowd behind, take boats across the Sea. The Sea of
Galilee is nearly 700 ft below sea level, and open to sudden violent downdrafts
and storms. So this night they find themselves in a sudden storm that
threatened to fill their boat with waves—And where is Jesus? He is asleep on a
cushion! The wind didn’t wake him! The waves didn’t wake him! He was worn out
from a full day of ministering to the needs of others!
Here we see an amazing snap shot
of the humanity of Jesus. Though He was fully God, he also was fully human!
This is the mystery of the incarnation, Jesus was 100% divine and at the same
time He was 100% human. He hungered. He thirst. He had feelings of joy and
anger. He wept. He was tempted just we are, yet without sin. He was betrayed,
and yet forgave those would accept his sacrifice on that cross for their sins.
And here on this boat, after a long day of ministering to the needs of others,
he was so tired, he slept through the wind and the waves that threatened their
very lives. The disciples had to wake him!
Here we also see an amazing
snapshot of the divinity of Jesus. When He awoke He rebuked the wind and
commanded the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And at His command the wind ceased! And
at His command there was a great calm on the water! Jesus commanded the wind
and the sea and these elements obeyed him! He demonstrated his divine power
over nature! [cross reference]
“He set the earth on its foundations,
so that it should never be moved.
You covered it with the deep as with a garment;
The waters stood above the mountains.
At your rebuke they fled;
At the sound of your thunder they took flight.
The mountains rose, the valleys sank down
To the place that you appointed for them.
You set a boundary that they may not pass,
So that they might not again cover the earth. (Ps 104:5-9).
Jesus answers the disciples by
asking, “Why are you so afraid?” Had they not a mustard seed of faith? Had not
faith begun to produce fruit yet?”
The
disciples asked among themselves, “Who is this, that even the wind and sea obey
him?” While they were beginning to get a clue as who Jesus was, they had to
learn what it would mean in all circumstance…even in a violent storm. They were
making new connections about him.
What new
connections do you need to make about Jesus? Where do you need to get a clue?
No matter if you just deciding to follow Jesus or you have been following him
for a long time…we are always making new connections of how Jesus relates to
our experiences.
Is he the
Son of God in your storm?
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