Mark 4:26-34
Having read these two parables, the one of the seed growing and then being harvested and the other of the mustard seed growing o become a great tree, we are confronted with the fact that Jesus had to explain these and other parables to the disciples,” …as they were able to hear.” This signals that we have some work to do here.
The promise is that the more we listen the deeper we will go and the more we will receive. That is what we learned last week. Continue reading
And he said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand? For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”
Mark 4: 21 – 25 (ESV)
Jesus has selected his disciples and gathered them around himself. In Mark, the teaching moves on to his establishing of community of the disciples, founded on his ministry to the apostles. His choosing of twelve was a political act, a statement that something new was happening. His authority has been established and even the demons are declaring who he is.
In the parable of the sower Jesus indicates how the coming kingdom is not the kingdom anticipated. He explains why the re-sowing of Israel is not as they expected. The reason? The pride of Israel, the old wine skin; the torn garment; could not contain the kingdom. This is only visible to those whose hearts are prepared and from whose hearts much fruit will be revealed. Continue reading
Mark 4:1-20
We are living in a forgiven world. Last week we saw how all sin is forgiven but some are too proud to receive this forgiveness and their pride places them outside the grace that is in Jesus. (Mark 3:28-29)
This week we see this worked out in the parable of the sower. In the meeting someone shared how often truth is hard to accept but sometimes can be smuggled into our hearts through a story, giving it a chance to work. Often I wonder if the familiarity of the parable of the sower means we don’t let it work and also we forget where it appears in the story of Jesus.
Again there is a large crowd, nobody is turned away; there is abundant provision. Jesus throws his teaching out to each one. We have seen how he devotes much time to teaching those who do not want to hear him or want to see who he is; but he stills reaches out to them.
God’s blessing is to those who are willing to hear, inside or outside. Continue reading
Mark 3: 13-35
The story moves from the wilderness, to the sea and now to the mountains. The mountains were where you went to be out of sight of the authorities. Jesus appoints his twelve apostles. The significance of twelve would not have been lost on the Jews of the time. Twelve was the number of the tribes of Israel. Jesus signifies the beginning of the restoration of the children of God; a revolution.
He returns home and his family are worried. Is Jesus mad?
Mark brackets another story in the narrative; is Jesus bad?
The authorities label Jesus. They want to discredit him and neutralise his authority. Jesus does not respond in kind. He tells stories that show that yes, the Kingdom is coming and Satan’s kingdom is under threat, but not for the reasons they are suggesting. Jesus has bound the strong man and is plundering his kingdom. He is healing the sick and delivering the afflicted from demons!
If we read the scriptures we see God constantly trying to move people on, drawing them into himself; his way of being; his way of seeing. In Jesus we see God’s revelation of himself; Jesus’ teachings and actions challenge the thinking of the time, to seek the truth of what God has already shown them through the prophets and move on and into the promised blessing, the blessing that is for all people. Jesus has challenged their concept of sin and now he says every sin is forgiven except for one. Spiritual blindness. Continue reading
Mark 3:7-12
…When the great crowd heard all that he was doing, they came to him. And he told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, lest they crush him, for he had healed many, so that all who had diseases pressed around him to touch him….
Jesus was to be crushed on the cross, and through his crucifixion and resurrection, we are to receive restoration and healing. In Jesus we are refreshed.
The great crowd was gathered from all the areas of the twelve tribes of Israel and Jesus had a message to deliver. The people came because they had heard of all that Jesus was doing but he had a message to share. Continue reading
Havers Community Church
Kanlungan Youth Mission Church
Daily Readings from Lectionary Bible Gateway’s Verse of the Day
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