In the gospel of Mark 4,
Jesus illustrates 4 parables:
The parable of the Sower (v1-9)
A Lamp Under a Basket (v21-25)
The parable of the growing seed (v26-28)
The parable of the mustard seed (v30-34)
Parables
a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson, as told by Jesus in the Gospels.
Jesus allowed everyone to hear His words. He speaks openly of these parables in public
Mark 4:9
Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”
Jesus intended how the parables might be received.
To those outside Jesus’ Circle,
Jesus called them outsiders - they’re the crowd gathered around Him.
They claim as believers and followers of Christ but lack repentance and intimacy with the Lord
They heard the parables but after that they went back to their own ways - own worldly cares
Jesus taught them the parables to hide the kingdom of God
Mark 4:12 But to those on the outside everything is said in parables
so that
“‘they may indeed see but not perceive,
and may indeed hear but not understand,
lest they should turn and be forgiven.’”
The kingdom of God will remain a secret to them unless they repent and turn to Him
This is Jesus’ way and purpose: to invite them to His Kingdom - He is the way, the truth, and the life
To those inside Jesus’ Circle,
Jesus called them insiders - they’re the ones left from the large crowd after His teaching
The Remnants - the true believers and followers of Christ who remain in the Lord and who conform to God’s word (even when they don’t understand - they stayed to inquire)
Jesus taught them the parables to reveal the kingdom of God to them
Mark 4:10-11
10 When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. 11 He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you….
Mark 4:33-34
The Lord openly/publicly speaks His word to everyone, but only those who remain in the Lord and stay with Him will be given the revelations of His words…
Let’s remember: secrets are only said in private…
33 With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it. 34 He did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.
Reflections:
Am I one of those who remain in the Lord and not going along with those who went back to their own ways after hearing the teaching of Christ?
Am I in the inner circle of the Lord?
Do I extend my time even after my service to Him to inquire more of His words and to hear Him louder and nearer?
Am I spending time with the Lord hearing Him in the secret place - behind the curtains?
