There was so much to preach, so much truth to proclaim, Jesus used little picture stories—parables.
Jesus sat in the boat he had arranged for this purpose teaching His heart out. Even though these were the People of God who had been trained in the Scriptures since childhood there was still so much darkness in their minds. He saw Himself as the “Sower who went forth to sow.” He was graphic in His teaching, using little stories packed with meaning and tiny pictures drawn from real life to illustrate deeper things.
- A lamp is obtained to shine in the darkness, not to be hidden in a basket. The secret things will be revealed in its light.
- Secret words will be sounded for all to hear so be careful what you say. It is coming back to you in the same measure.
- The Kingdom of Heaven is like the mystery of planting and harvesting. People do the work but forces beyond them really make things happen.
- The Kingdom of God is like the tiny mustard seed, small at first, but expanding to fill the earth.
“…without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone,
He explained all things to His disciples.”
Time to Rest?
After a full day of this, Jesus was spent. He needed a break. He suggested that they take the boat to the other side of the water. Theirs wasn’t the only boat. Others followed Jesus and the twelve across the lake. A violent storm rose up to threaten them all. Their well-earned rest was in peril as were the occupants of all the boats. The boat Jesus was in began to fill with water. What was He doing in this storm? Resting. He was asleep on a pillow in the boat in spite of the storm. Everyone else panicked. They woke Jesus up.
“Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
They questioned the compassion of the Healer. They suspected the truth of the Teacher. They feared that the Deliverer would not deliver this time. Jesus woke up, stretched his back, yawned a big yawn and rebuked the storm.
“Peace, be still!”
It obeyed and the waters became still and the winds friendly once again. After all they had seen and heard, they still had trouble believing in Him.
“Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”
With these words, fear came on them, greater than their fear of the storm.
“Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”
Jesus sighed and returned to His pillow and to His rest. There was so much to preach, so much truth to proclaim.
Scripture
Mark 4:21-34
Also He said to them, “Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand? For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” Then He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given. For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.” And He said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.” Then He said, “To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it? It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth; but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade.” And with many such parables He spoke the word to them as they were able to hear it. But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples. On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, Your truth is not some elevated thing beyond our understanding or use. Your truth is real, current, available and applicable to our lives today. Help me be a light, not hidden, but shining for all to see. Help me be careful what I say and hear. Help me sow the good seed of Your Good News every day. And if a storm should arise today, help me rest in You in the midst of it, knowing that the storm must obey Your Word. Amen.
Song:
This Little Light of Mine
Traditional
This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel? No! I’m going to let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel? No! I’m going to let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel? No! I’m going to let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Semper Reformanda!
Stephen Phifer
© 2018 Stephen R. Phifer All Rights Reserved
Share this:
