January 11, 2025

Planting and Harvesting

Mark 4:26-34

In this portion, we are given two parables to consider, along with another comment about the use of parables by Jesus.  The first parable of the seed that grows into a full harvest would seem to play off of the earlier parable of the sower.  Here though, the only action described of the one sowing the seed is the actual planting, or more accurately the sowing on the ground.  There is no watering mentioned here, no tending of weeds, nothing other than allowing the growth to happen in a rather miraculous way, and of then harvesting the crop when it is ready. 

Of course, what we need to notice immediately here is that Jesus isn’t trying to teach the people about agriculture, he is rather telling them something significant about the kingdom of God.  It is not the actual crops that many of them worked with that Jesus is concerned with here, but instead he is trying to help them to understand the marvelous workings of the kingdom of God.  That kingdom is such that if they simply share the good news, they simply offer the gifts of the kingdom to others, then God will take care of the rest.

This is followed by the second parable, which is again about a seed and planting, with the message this time being about how just small beginnings will result in amazing growth in the kingdom of God.  This had to have become particularly poignant for the disciples after Jesus’ death, to remember that even their smallest efforts would bring forth great fruit for God’s kingdom.

It was with such parables that Jesus offered his message to the crowds, and then offered further explanations and insights to the disciples in private.

January 3, 2025

Paying Attention

Mark 4:21-25

I spoke last week about Jesus’ use of parables in order to open doors for people.  He seems to be reinforcing that perspective as he talks here in this week’s portion about how the light of a lamp is intended to show forth things, to illuminate life, just as things which may seem to be secret are meant to be revealed and known.  And Jesus then encourages people to pay attention.

That is both a general encouragement and also words specifically related to understanding the parables.  In essence he says, “the amount of attention and thought that you give to them, will be directly related to how much you get out of them.”  For those who do this regularly, they will be blessed in increasing measure.  By contrast, those who don’t put much effort into things, will discover that even the knowledge that they do have will begin to fade away.

Our walk with Jesus, if it is to bring forth abundance in our lives, requires our commitment and our attention.  When we most fully engage in our relationship with Jesus, then we will discover a richness of understanding, and we will be blessed fully in our lives.