The Lord Spoke In Parables – Mark 4
The Lord Jesus taught several parables. I won't cover the meaning of these parables because what caught my attention was this: "The secret of the Kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables..." [verse 11] Also verse 34, He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples he explained everything.
It was better to have the Lord Jesus than to have his parables. Those who had the Lord Jesus had his word, his teachings, parables...everything. Many people had his parables and teachings. It is possible some of these people took his parables and created a religion. But they didn't have the Lord Jesus himself.
I would rather have the Lord Jesus. I would rather sit with the Lord Jesus even in silence. I would rather be with the Lord Jesus than have the mystery of the universe explained.
I'm not diminishing bible study, doctrine, or teaching. I'm saying that without the presence of the Lord Jesus all these things become external religion.
The Lord Jesus explained why he spoke in parables when there were crowds of people around.
Not everyone in the crowd believed what he said. By speaking in parables he invited those who wanted to know more to come closer. But those who did not believe would assume he told them children's stories. In this way the Lord showed mercy to those who did not believe. It is one thing to turn away from a story but it is another to turn away from the truth spoken plainly.
The more truth we hear the more we are accountable. The Lord showed mercy to those who did not believe. The Lord takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked or the punishment they receive. He shows mercy in every way possible even when he taught them what would save them if they would believe. Men have free will and must choose to believe. God does not force anyone to believe and trust in him.
These were parables which described the kingdom of God. His first parable was about sowing seed into different kinds of soil.
The Lord explained the seed was the word of God. Birds who ate up the seed sown by the wayside represented Satan and demons.
The seed which fell in rocky soil represented a man who heard the word of God gladly but quickly fell away when tested.
Another type of soil was burdened with thorns. This was the man who heard God's word but the cares of life, riches, and pleasures choked the word of God and he was unfruitful.
Finally, the good soil represented men who received the word of God into a good heart and who bore fruit in various degrees of success.
The Lord Jesus compared the kingdom of God to crop growth. A man planted his seed in the ground, and then God caused the harvest. When the harvest came then the sickle was put in and the fruit was gathered.
He also compared the kingdom of God to a mustard seed which was planted in the ground. However, this mustard grew into a monstrous tree which was so large that birds roosted in its branches. In the first parable birds represented the servants of Satan so we understand this tree grew to an abnormal size and provided a place for the workers of Satan. This is what we see in mega churches today.
The Lord Jesus told his disciples to get into a boat and travel to the other side of the lake. While the Lord Jesus slept in the boat a storm arose which was so fierce the disciples feared for their lives. They awoke the Lord Jesus and he spoke to the wind and waves and it was calm. They were amazed and wondered what kind of man commanded the wind and the waves to obey him!
The Lord Jesus asked them a piercing question at that moment: "And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?" (Mark 4:40)
Fear of death will not accompany faith in God. Those who fear have not kept their mind fixed on our loving heavenly Father. The Lord is our provider, our protector, and he is our portion.
Isaiah 26:3, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee."
