Dear Zikora,
Have you ever wondered why some people read the Bible and don’t understand it? Or why they read it and complain about how difficult it is to follow? Mark chapter 4 gives us an insight into why this is the case and arms us with a proper answer to this question.
This chapter opens with Jesus teaching and preaching to a crowd about a lot of things using stories, particularly, the story of a man sowing seeds- Mark 4 vs 1-9. Although Jesus is teaching them, Jesus doesn’t make it particularly easy for the crowd to understand, even though he explains using very relatable anecdotes and stories of common events (parables). However, Jesus would later explain the parables to his inner circle and disciples- (Mark 4 vs 10 & 34).
Why did Jesus do that? When Jesus’s disciples asked him why he does this, here is Jesus’s response: “And he said to them, to you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is 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”…Mark 4 vs 11-12.
Here is my take on the meaning of Jesus’ response: the mind that already received God and is intentionally seeking God will understand the word of God, but for the mind that has not received Jesus, is unready or unwilling, the word of God will be a mystery.
Notice how Jesus uses many references and experiences that are not uncommon to the people? I think this is so that the people can understand it easily, but the people would have to be aware in order to grasp the meaning behind those parables. This makes more sense when you realize that the parable are also open to different interpretation, depending on your perspective…
Furthermore, Jesus explained that the revealing of the kingdom of God in simple words is for his friends and inner circle (children of God). However, outsiders (non-Christians) will have to discern God’s words wrapped in a story. This might explain why the Bible might be complicated to understand for a non-Christian.
That said, this doesn’t mean that the Goodnews of the kingdom of God is not to be shared with non-Christians. It just means that although it is available and accessible to all, understanding it is still reserved to those who have already received Jesus into their life. That is to say that the seeker has to be intentional, conscious, aware, and most importantly, receive God first. Here is how the Bible puts it: “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God”…(John 1 vs 12). Also, “My Sheep (my children) hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10 vs 27). So while the word of God is available and accessible, it is still exclusive. Always pray for understanding before reading God’s words.
If you have not received Jesus into your life, fret not, just say this prayer: My dear lord Jesus, I believe and I confess that you are the true son of God and that you came to die for my sins. I accept and receive you into my life as my saviour and redeemer. Please forgive me my sins, come into my life and dwell with me all the days of my life. Thank you for loving me first, and for answering my prayers, in Jesus name. Amen. Congratulations, you are now a child of God. Read Romans 10 vs 9 and See this post: How to Have a Close and Strong Relationship with God. And..
Psalm 81: How to Preserve Our Relationship with God and Ensure a Soft Godly life
Now let us examine and interpret some of the parables and see the role we play when it comes to our efforts at sharing the news about the kingdom of God.
1) The Parable of the Sower:
This is the very first parable that Jesus uses to explain what happens when people are first introduced to the word of God. If you pay attention, you will notice how this plays out in our everyday life, and not just in terms of the word of God. You can also extrapolate this to other areas of life such as in your studies, relationships etc.
In this parable, we learn of the people who hear the word of God, but because it doesn’t land on the right soil (and this can be due to the time, place, circumstances or state of mind of the person hearing), the word of God either isn’t received or it does bear any fruit or make a difference in their life (Mark 4 vs 14-20). This also explains why sometimes, we hear the gospel/word of God and somehow forget, or don’t abide by it. Our prayer here should be that God make us a fertile ground on which the seeds land and we are to pray against any factor that might prevent the seed from taking growth/root and multiplying. We are to be careful because the factors can crop up anytime and the world is full of such factors (e.g distractions, persecution, tribulation, deceitfulness of riches, etc). We must also be patient as some seeds take time to grow and manifest. So don’t get discouraged if the word of God you received is taking some time to change you or change someone you shared it with. Stay actively praying and intentionally trying and abiding by it, it will eventually grow, and take root in your life.
2) Nothing Hidden: Parable of Lamp Under a Basket
In Mark 4 vs 21-25, Jesus gave another short parable using light/a lamp. Again, there are many ways this parable can be interpreted, but only does who know that Jesus is the light of the world (John 1 vs 9-10, & John 8 vs 12) will understand this parable. This parable explains that whether people believe in God or Jesus, it doesn’t really matter, because eventually, everyone will come to know about Jesus and find out that the word of God is true (Mark 4 vs 21-23). So it is important that we hear and obey the word of God. Here is how the Bible puts it: “If anyone has ears, 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 onwards who has not, even what he has will be taken away”…Mark 4 vs 23-25. This simply means, the more you hear the word of God, the more you will understand and be filled with the word of God/Light, and the more you share, the more you have and the cycle continues. The opposite is true too.
- Another way to interpret this parable would be that we are not to hide the light of God within us. We are to share the light (that is Jesus) with the world. Because there are really no secrets. Whether we share it or not, people will eventually come to hear and know about the light of the world (Jesus/God).This is what Mark 4 vs 22 means when it says “nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light”. So the more you share your light, more light will be yours and if you don’t, even what you once understood will be taken away.
- Pay attention to what you hear and consume: make sure that you not only hear the word of God, but that you do what it says. At the same time, pay attention to what you are listening to. Make sure it is God’s words and not evil disguised as the word of God…Mark 4 vs 24.
3) Spreading the word of God: Parable of Seed Growing
In Mark 4 vs 26-29, we are given a glimpse of the Kingdom of God, and how it starts out…like a seed, and then grows without much input from us. Our job, is to spread (scatter) the seed/word of God to people through our words, actions, testimonies, etc. It is God who uses those seeds and makes them grow in the hearts and lives of others. So we should not get upset when people don’t immediately accept God’s words when we tell them or become changed immediately. We also shouldn’t obsessively watch out to see if others are changing and becoming more Christ-like. Our job is just to spread the word and live in the truth of the word. It is God who does the changing of people’s mind. Just the same way we don’t know when or how the seeds grow, but we come when the time is right and harvest that which we have planted.
4) Our Little actions have major Impact: Parable of the Mustard Seed
This is an interesting parable because according to Jesus, it is the parable that is used to compare and explain the kingdom of God, (Mark 4 vs 30-33). It is so telling because it emphasizes that the kingdom of God starts out as a very small seed, and then it grows into a large plant with large branches. One can infer that spreading God’s kingdom is just like sowing seed and farming. “Tiny Seed”/”Mustard seed” symbolizes that even the tiniest things such as our actions, words, the way we do our job or carry ourselves, our testimonies, and other things we think are inconsequential can all have a major impact. So again, don’t be afraid to sow a seed in someone’s life. No matter how small you think your impact is, God has the ability to magnify that impact. Just do your part, don’t be shy or afraid.
5) Have Faith in God: God is With us Even When We Don’t feel Like it.
in Mark 4 vs 35-41, we learn that Jesus got in a boat with his disciples and then they experienced a massive storm while Jesus was sleeping on board. Even with Jesus being with his disciples, the disciples were still afraid of the storm. Jesus was not pleased with them for not having faith. We do this when we forget that God is always with us, and we let fear come into us and we don’t operate from a place of faith, or we question God. Jesus was sleeping/having a nap when the storm started, but he was still in their midst. It may feel like this for us at times, but God is always still with us. Have strong faith because our God is faithful and always still with us. Not having faith/being afraid is like an insult to God. God is pleased and delighted when we have faith in God.
Prayer:
Thank you Jesus for the beautiful gifts in the Bible, the wise parables and how you help me understand it and apply it to every stage of my life. Please help me to not misunderstand or misinterpret it. Continue to guide me in wisdom and knowledge. Please help me o God to continue to be a light in this world and to continue to spread your kingdom and the good news of your salvation through my words and actions and lifestyle. Save me from all the ways I try to sabotage or ruin myself. Help me to stay encouraged and motivated.
I thank you so much because your love for me is beyond words. Thank you my lord because I know that you have heard my prayer. Thank you because I know that you will do exceedingly abundantly all that I have asked and prayed for. Blessed be your holy name in Jesus name I have prayed. Amen.
