Kingdom Parables – Mk 4:21-34
Jesus has just helped us realize that our heart condition is critical to receiving; and the reality is, most of our hearts are not in the right condition… (Jer 17:9)
21 And He was saying to them, “A lamp is not brought to be put under a basket, is it, or under a bed? Is it not brought to be put on the lampstand? 22 For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything been secret, but that it would come to light.(NASB®)
Why is Jesus here?
The essence of a lamp is to provide light. The reason you conceal something is to later reveal it. God desires to be known and in Jesus, God is introducing Himself in a format we can receive.
Do I understand that my sin separates me from God?
Do I appreciate that God wants to have a relationship with me?
Aside: When David had sinned (against God) with Bathsheba, Nathan showed him the
truth using a parable. In this way, he was better able to receive the reality of what he had
done. We fail to appreciate the true character of God, so in His mercy He stoops to our level.
23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” 24 And He was saying to them, “Take care what you listen to. By your standard of measure it will be measured to you; and more will be given you besides. 25 For whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him.” (NASB®)
Why is studying the Bible important?
Once again, the choice is ours. We may cherish our independence but the reality is, God is pursuing us. If we strive to seek Him, God will reveal Himself beyond what we could imagine. Yet, if we continually reject that longing for something more, there may come a time when the opportunity is gone.
Am I aware of my own mortality?
Am I willing to consider that there may be more to this life?
26 And He was saying, “The kingdom of God is like a man who casts seed upon the soil; 27 and he goes to bed at night and gets up by day, and the seed sprouts and grows—how, he himself does not know. 28 The soil produces crops by itself; first the blade, then the head, then the mature grain in the head. 29 But when the crop permits, he immediately puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”(NASB®)
What is the God’s Kingdom like?
Jesus again uses a farming analogy to help us better understand the Kingdom. In Jesus the Kingdom has been established. Independent of our efforts, it continues to grow. We may not fully understand the process, but like an anticipated crop we can see it developing and when it is finished, it will be gathered.
Am I aware that God is growing His Kingdom?
Am I ready for His harvest?
30 And He said, “How shall we picture the kingdom of God, or by what parable shall we present it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the soil, though it is smaller than all the seeds that are upon the soil, 32 yet when it is sown, it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and forms large branches; so that the birds of the air can nest under its shade.” (NASB®)
How can we imagine the Kingdom of God?
Jesus does not want us to be confused or discouraged at the seeming absence of His Kingdom. Don’t be fooled. The Kingdom, like a very small seed, may have humble beginnings but in the end there will be room enough for those who seek its shelter.
Is my relationship with God solely based on what I see?
Am I willing to trust that God will finish what He starts?
33 With many such parables He was speaking the word to them, so far as they were able to hear it; 34 and He did not speak to them without a parable; but He was explaining everything privately to His own disciples. (NASB®)
Why does Jesus use parables?
Jesus provided more than enough examples of what God was doing in establishing His Kingdom so that we could fully understand. At the same time, He was training His disciples for their own ministry that would be coming sooner than they would realize.
Do I understand God’s word?
Do I desire to be a part of God’s Kingdom?