Mark

By Joyce Webb 2022

Chapter 4 Verses 21-41

Verse 21 Jesus continues to give spiritual lessons by telling parable (earthly story with a heavenly meaning).

Jesus said, “ A candle is not put under a bushel basket. It is not put under a bed. It is put on a candlestick. (It is lifted up high so it makes the light go farther.)

Verse 22 Things that are hidden now, will come to light and be seen. Things in secret now, will someday be known.

Verse 23 If any man has ears to hear, let him hear. In other words, if anyone wants to learn of God and His ways, let him listen and take these words and think about them carefully.

Verse 24 Give attention about what you hear me say. The more you take in my words,— the more understanding you will have. The more you hear and take in—-the more understanding you will be given.

Verse 25 The person who has the desire to understand,—-more wisdom and understanding will be given to him.

The person who does not value what I say, and does not desire to understand my teaching, then the words I have said to them—will fade away and they will forget it.

Verse 26 The kingdom of God is like a man who cast seed—sows, plants seeds into the ground.

Verse 27 The man gets busy with other things for many days. The seed begins to grow into plants. The man does not understand how the seed lies in the ground and grows into a plant.

He knows this is what happens—but he does not understand how a seed changes in the ground and then becomes a plant.

Verse 28 The dirt covers the seed—the seed changes—then it grows pushing green leaves up, then it grows tall into a thick stalk, then it has ears of corn.

Verse 29 When the “fruit“, grain, etc. is ripe and ready, the man uses a tool called a sickle and cuts down the plants—saves the grain. This is called “harvest”.

Verse 30 Jesus said: How shall I say how the kingdom of God is? What can I compare the kingdom of God to?

Verse 31 The kingdom of God is like a grain of mustard seed.
(The mustard seed that grew in that area what very small—like a
speck of pepper in a pepper shaker.)

Verse 32 This tiny seed goes into the ground and grows. From that tiny seed, it grows into a tree. Birds can sit on its branches. It makes a shadow and shade on the ground.

Verse 33 Jesus used stories like this to explain what the kingdom of God was like.

(The kingdom of God grows —-from one person believing to many people believing.

The kingdom of God grows—from understanding only a little about God/Jesus—-to understanding much about Him—–they become mature—-they produce “fruit” by bringing others to Jesus.”)

When we tell others about Jesus—–Like a seed in the ground—-we may not see much happening—–but after a time—-the word of God begins to grow in their heart and mind—-they begin to believe and live in a way that pleases God.)

(When the disciples first started preaching—-one by one, small groups believed, then larger groups believed, then whole nations became mostly Christian people, now days there are millions of Christian believers in the world.)

Verse 34 Jesus used these stories when speaking to the crowds.
When he was alone with the disciples, he explained the stories to them so they would be sure to understand the meaning.

Verse 35 When Jesus finished talking with the disciples, he said “Let us go back across the sea (lake).”

Verse 36 The men sent the crowd of people away—-then the disciples and Jesus got into a ship.

Verse 37 As they were crossing the water, a big storm began to blow. It make very big waves and the ship was in danger. The men became afraid.

Verse 38 Jesus was asleep. The woke him and said, “Master, do you not care that the ship is about to go down and we will die?”
(It would be hard to swim in waves like that.)

Verse 39 Jesus got up—-he said to the wind, “Peace, be still.”
The wind stopped. All was calm.

Verse 40 Jesus said to them, “Why were you so afraid?’ “Do you not have faith?”

Verse 41 The disciples were still afraid—and in awe and wonder—about this man, Jesus, —-he just told the wind to stop—and it did !!

They wondered—-what kind of man was this —who could tell the wind to stop?

(The disciples are still growing in their understanding and belief of who Jesus is. They have seen him heal people. They have seen him make much bread and fish from a few pieces.

They have seen him cast out demons (evil spirits) –they saw him bring the widow’s son back to life, —and maybe–by this time—Jairus’ daughter—-back to life.

Yet—they are still in wonder—when they see Jesus control the wind.

It is hard for them to fully understand that this man that they walk with everyday—-is God—and has the power to control all things.

Jesus‘ brothers —who grew up with Jesus in the same house—did not believe that Jesus was God—until after Jesus came alive after dying.

The people of Jesus‘ hometown—did not believe that Jesus was God.

Sometimes—we are too close to things—to see the truth.)