parables

Turning the lights on

by

“…nothing is hidden, except to be revealed…” Mark 4:21-25

“Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel?” This saying of Jesus is among his most well known. We even sang about it in Sunday School: “This little light of mine.” Matthew records the meaning Jesus had in mind, as if there was a need to make it more obvious. Like a bolt of lightning which even the light of day cannot hide. “Let your light so shine before men” (Matthew 5:16).

Mark quotes the same saying and meaning with a slight twist. Although he does not offer an explanation, his context suggests that Jesus is still answering the disciples’ question about his use of parables: does he really intend to hide his teaching from some people? In response, Jesus does not apply the parable’s meaning to his followers, but to himself.

The answer, of course, is “No.” Why would anyone bring a lantern into a dark place and then cover it with a bucket?

The nature and purpose of light is that it dispels darkness. The dark can never push aside even the smallest amount of light. It is always the other way around. If God has hidden something, he will reveal it in good time. Some knowledge may be out of our view for a while, but those secrets will eventually come to light.

God is not trying to hide his truth and wisdom from anyone. But we must be careful to watch for those moments when he unveils what is hidden. Our attention must not wander. Distractions from many sources will tempt is to pay heed. If we are not mindful, the opportunity to increase our knowledge and wisdom will pass us by, and with it, deny us the chance to increase the amount of light to come.

Our mind and spirit can be like a muscle. The more it is fed and exercised, the greater the capacity to absorb the Lord’s wisdom and knowledge. Such an outlook will find an ever abundant source of light.

Copyright 2019 David J. Cooley

Gone to seed

by

“Know ye not this parable?” Mark 4:1-20

Jesus liked to teach in parables: simple stories drawn from everyday life that no one would regard as far-fetched or fantastic. The sower is such a story. Everyone knew what he was doing. They may have done it themselves. They even may have seen a sower at work on their way to hear Jesus.

But that’s where the easy comparison stops. What kind of farmer would waste his seed on rocky soil, or on a road, or in the middle of a patch of thorns? What was Jesus trying to say?

One thing was certain – Jesus was not teaching a course on effective farming methods. Even his disciples were confused and asked him privately for an explanation. Jesus was in fact teaching them something about the nature of the kingdom of God. The seed is God’s word and the various kinds of soils are the kinds of hearts within men and their receptiveness to that word. Not all soils can be cultivated to produce a good crop.

What? Does that mean God deliberately makes people that cannot respond to him? Not necessarily. People have the ability to choose how they will respond to God. “Cannot” is entirely different from “will not.” Apparently some folks have already determined to resist God by the time an opportunity to receive his word comes along. (The entire history of Israel is an example of this)

Jesus doesn’t sow his word among the thorns to demonstrate how resistant some people can be. He sows in the hard places with the hope that some, even if only a few, will respond. It cannot be said that Jesus has ever failed to give anyone the chance to come to him.

Copyright 2019 David J. Cooley

Parables

by

“He was teaching them many things in parables” Mark 4:2

Mark Chapter 4 contains a series of parables. We heard a few parables earlier which were readily understood by those that heard them. But now, Jesus seems to be intentionally hiding the meaning from the people.

Even the disciples seem to be in the dark and come to Jesus privately seeking an explanation. Jesus is happy to give them the meaning and tells them his purpose: “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.”

Parables were common in the teaching of the rabbis and might even be considered a favorite of Jesus. The rabbis taught, then followed up with a parable that illustrated what they had just taught. Jesus approached the parable differently. It was the foundation of his teaching. The parable came first, followed by the teaching, which was reserved to those closest to him.

This might seem exclusive or even a bit mean. Why would he deny the people his word? It may have more to do with logistics than any lack of desire to teach the masses. Jesus’ time was limited – he would not be able to do everything required to launch the church and equip it to last for centuries. Attracting large crowds of followers was not his primary purpose. His main work concerned redemption and the sacrifice he would offer of himself.

The disciples, soon to be known as the Apostles, would have the responsibility to spread the word, not only to Israel, but to the entire world. It was essential that they know Jesus’ teaching and purpose forward and backwards. They had to know him and his teaching so well that it became second nature to them, and flowed easily and powerfully from them as they taught the people after the Ascension of Jesus. This is why he focused his efforts on them.