Post by foxjj on Jun 4, 2023 7:26:00 GMT
Kingdom Parables, Mark 4:21-34.
In the parable of the Lamp on a Stand, Jesus is teaching on The Kingdom and speaks of something that is known to all; a lamp gives light for the benefit of everyone in its sphere:
“He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand? 22 For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.” 24 “Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more. 25 Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.” - Mark 4:21-25 (NIV)
Jesus came into the darkness of the world proclaiming God’s Kingdom as The Light from God: “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” - John 8:12.
There are many who claim that they believe in Jesus, even religious groups such as Jehovah Witnesses, Mormons and Moslems. However, believing in the historical Jesus is not the same as a belief by faith, in Jesus as Savior and Lord. Throughout His ministry Jesus was showing that He alone is the Promised One who was to come- Messiah. It is important to remember the warning of verse 24: “Consider carefully what you hear.”
In the Old Testament, Isaiah 9:1-2 speaks of Zebulun and Naphtali which are areas in the north where the lake of Galilee lays. The people of the region endured violent attacks and deportation by the Assyrians. Isaiah spoke of when their time of darkness will be exchanged for a time of light:
“Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan— 2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” Galilee experienced spiritual light when Jesus spent much of His ministry preaching there.
Another example of a Kingdom parable is Mark 4:26-29:
“He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 28 All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. 29 As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”
This is a great example of how The Kingdom grows.
Seeds of spiritual truth are sown in the human heart.
The seeds grow through the power of The Holy Spirit.
The Grace of God brings the harvest.
Paul puts it this way in Ephesians 2:8-9:
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.”
The Parable of the Mustard Seed shows how something so small can grow into something so big. The preaching of The Kingdom began by one man in the Galilee, a small part of a small province of the Roman Empire:
“Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. 32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.” 33 With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. 34 He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.” - Mark 4:30-34.
Today, let us give thanks for our knowledge of God’s Kingdom.
John Joseph Fox.
In the parable of the Lamp on a Stand, Jesus is teaching on The Kingdom and speaks of something that is known to all; a lamp gives light for the benefit of everyone in its sphere:
“He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand? 22 For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.” 24 “Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more. 25 Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.” - Mark 4:21-25 (NIV)
Jesus came into the darkness of the world proclaiming God’s Kingdom as The Light from God: “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” - John 8:12.
There are many who claim that they believe in Jesus, even religious groups such as Jehovah Witnesses, Mormons and Moslems. However, believing in the historical Jesus is not the same as a belief by faith, in Jesus as Savior and Lord. Throughout His ministry Jesus was showing that He alone is the Promised One who was to come- Messiah. It is important to remember the warning of verse 24: “Consider carefully what you hear.”
In the Old Testament, Isaiah 9:1-2 speaks of Zebulun and Naphtali which are areas in the north where the lake of Galilee lays. The people of the region endured violent attacks and deportation by the Assyrians. Isaiah spoke of when their time of darkness will be exchanged for a time of light:
“Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan— 2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” Galilee experienced spiritual light when Jesus spent much of His ministry preaching there.
Another example of a Kingdom parable is Mark 4:26-29:
“He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 28 All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. 29 As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”
This is a great example of how The Kingdom grows.
Seeds of spiritual truth are sown in the human heart.
The seeds grow through the power of The Holy Spirit.
The Grace of God brings the harvest.
Paul puts it this way in Ephesians 2:8-9:
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.”
The Parable of the Mustard Seed shows how something so small can grow into something so big. The preaching of The Kingdom began by one man in the Galilee, a small part of a small province of the Roman Empire:
“Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. 32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.” 33 With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. 34 He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.” - Mark 4:30-34.
Today, let us give thanks for our knowledge of God’s Kingdom.
John Joseph Fox.