Kingdom Parables
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· 6 viewsThe Kingdom of God has come and has been revealed in the person of Jesus.
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Introduction:
No one would expect a person like him to produce such beautiful music and have a wonderful voice. Someone who was insignifcant to the visible eye, was actually very signficiant to the in invisible eye.
The the visible eye, he just looked like an autistic kid. But that performance showed us that there is more to the visible eye.
And that is true of the kingdom of God. What appears weak and insignificant is actually powerful and eternally significant when God is at work.
Just last week, a video went viral on the internet. That video was a clip from the show America’s Got Talent. It received over twenty million views and brought tears to many Americans.
II. The Kingdom Grows Mysteriously
Kody Lee, who is also blind and autistic, played piano and sang a cover song which received a standing ovation and the first contestant to receive the golden buzzer of season 14 of AGT. The judges were blown away and said that this is something they would remember forever.
III. The Kingdom Expands Exponentially
He was the first contestant to receive the golden buzzer of season 14 of AGT.
What made the performance truly memorable was that no one expected it. No one expected that he would play the piano and sing as well as he did. And everyone was surprised. And we see there is more than meets the eye.
What is seen
What appeared
And why were so many people moved and brought to tears? Well we see that there was more to this contestant that meets the eye.
That principle is also true spiritually. No one expected the coming of the kingdom to come it did. And with God there is more than meets the eye. And those with ears, will have ear to hear.
As we saw last week, Jesus teaches in parables to reveal truth to his disciples. What is confusing and perplexing to the outsiders, is explained privately to the disciples.
What seems insignificant to the crowds, is eternally significant to the disciples.
What seems weak and despised, is strong and precious in God’s eyes.
What seems to be small, actually has cosmic significance in God’s eyes.
And these truths apply to the message of the Kingdom as Jesus gives three parables illustrating what the kingdom of God can be compared to.
In , Jesus teaches three parables, to encourage his disciples in the ministry that there is more than meets the eye when it comes to spiritual truth. And these parables will show us supernatural and mysterious growth of God’s kingdom. And we as God’s people can find encouragement when things do not appear as they seem.
I. Parable of the Lamp (How knowledge of the kingdom is revealed) (vv. 21-25)
II. Parable of the Growing Seed (How the kingdom grows supernaturally) (vv. 26-29)
III. Parable of the Mustard Seed (How the kingdom exceeds human expectations) (vv. 30-34)
Scripture Reading:
And he said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand? For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”
And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”
And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”
With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it. He did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.
I. The Parable of the Lamp (vv. 21-25)
I. The Parable of the Lamp (vv. 21-25)
And he said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand? For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light.
Jesus is probably teaching beside the sea on a small boat. He is continuing to teach in parables to the crowds and the disciples. We saw last week how Jesus illustrated to us how people respond to God’s word in the parable of the soils.
Parables were extended word pictures from everyday life that illustrated a spiritual truth, especially about the kingdom. And he gives another parable illustrating how the kingdom is to be revealed with the parable of the Lamp.
Lamps were usually small pots with a small wick that you would light. To keep the lamp burning, you would continue to pour oil in these vessels. Some lamps could be put on a stand.
And these lamps would light rooms and the entire house. They did not have electricity as we have today and often take for granted. These were essential household items.
And the illustration is obvious: light is not to be put under a basket, or under a bed, but on a stand.
Why?
Because the function of the lamp is to disclose, manifest, and expose what is in the room.
What does the Lamp symbolize?
The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark Hiddenness that Reveals (4:21–25)
In the OT, a lamp is not infrequently a metaphor for God (2 Sam 22:29) or the Davidic Messiah (2 Kgs 8:19; Ps 132:17) or the Torah (Ps 119:105). Not only does Mark distinguish the lamp by making it the acting subject, but he refers to it with the definite article, the lamp. Finally, reference to the lamp coming (Gk. erchetai) is more suitable of a person than an object, and has indeed been used of Jesus earlier (1:7; 3:20). These particulars signal that this is no ordinary lamp. The image points to Jesus as the implied agent, for whom the lamp is a metaphor. Jesus is the lamp of God who has come to bring light and revelation (John 1:5; 8:12).
The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark Hiddenness that Reveals (4:21–25)
The degree to which one hears the parables, the extent to which one allows the kingdom to break upon oneself, will determine the measure of one’s understanding.
Now, I really wrestled with this text this past week. Because what is Jesus saying here? Does the lamp refer to Jesus himself? God himself? The word of God? Or the disciples doing good deeds?
Some take it to refer to Jesus because in the original language there is a definite article. Jesus also himself says, “I am the light of the world, whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
Some people think it refers to the Word of God: Your Word is like a lamp unto my feed and a light unto my path.
Some people think it refers to disciples doing good deeds as we see in ,
Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
I think it probably refers to the message of the kingdom contextually. I think generally all these apply, but I think it refers to the message of the kingdom that Jesus has been preaching. I could be wrong, but the point here is that the message of the kingdom is not meant to be concealed, but meant to be revealed. The kingdom comes through the message of the kingdom.
All people are to hear the message of the kingdom and all people are called to respond to the message of the kingdom. The problem is that many people respond differently to this call as we saw in the parable of the soils last week.
Truth is meant to be made known
This is why Jesus was teaching primarily and healing secondarily. This is why the disciples were to be with Jesus, so that he might send them out to preach and teach.
The application for us is that we are not to shrink away from telling the truth to others. We are not to conceal the truth of the gospel, like a lamp that is put under a basket. No, we are to shine forth the truth of God’s word in our speech and our deeds.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
You remember in church history how the Roman Catholic Church concealed truth to the people. The mass and the rituals replaced the pulpit. People could not understand the Word of God because the mass was conducted in Latin. People did not have the Word of God in their own hands.
And it was through the work of the Reformers that they recovered the priority of the preaching and teaching of the Word of God that lit a fire throughout Europe where people began to see the glorious truth of Scripture.
It was a recovery of the gospel found in the Word of God. Lloyd Jones has said that every great revival in history has come as a result of the recovery of biblical preaching.
And one day the hidden will be completely made manifest in the second coming of Jesus.
If we want to be a revived church, we need to prioritize book day in and day out, week in and week out, year in and year out. We need to be constantly exposed and nourished on this book.
Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—
2. Truth is meant to be applied
If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you.
Mark 4:
In America, we have easy access to the Bible and accessible Bible resources that the reformers would have never dreamed of. If they were alive, they would be amazed at how privileged we are. Yet with all the resources we have at our fingertips, we take it for granted, and especially when it comes to the Bible. Spurgeon said,
Most people treat the Bible very politely. They have a small pocket volume, neatly bound; they put a white-pocket-handkerchief around it, and carry it to their places of worship, when they get home, they lay it up in a drawer till next Sunday morning; then it comes out again for a little bit of a treat and goes to chapel;that is all the poor Bible gets in the way of airing. That is your style of entertaining this heavenly messenger. There is dust enough on some of your Bibles to write ‘damnation’ with your fingers.
Do you treat your Bible like a nice Christmas ornament only brought out to be decorated and seen on special occasions? Some of us need to treat our Bibles like how we treat our phones. It is the first thing we look at the beginning of the day, constantly checking it, and being glued to it, and the last thing we look at before we go to bed. I would even say obsessed and addicted to it. Are we obsessed with God’s Word?
Let him who has ears, let him hear!
And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you.
Jesus is saying Pay Attention! Listen Up! Consider what you hear! It is actually a command in the original language.
The standard you use will be the standard be used on you. In other words, what you put into it is what you get. Just to illustrate from everyday life.
When you go to the gym, if you lift 5 pound weights everyday but never move on to heavier weights, don’t expect results.
When you play an instrument, and know how to play Twinkle Little Star, but never learn more notes and more songs, don’t expect you will be a world class musician.
When you learn a language, you are to practice what you are learning increasing your vocabulary, comprehension, and listening by constant immersion and practice and repetition if you want to be fluent to speak and communicate with others.
It is true in the spiritual world. Be careful how you listen to God’s Word. You get what you put into it.
And that is true in so many other spiritual levels. Don’t expect to grow in godliness, if you are not reading God’s Word in any meaningful way. Don’t expect to grow in loving the church if you are not serving and giving your time to the church. Don’t expect unbelievers to be converted to the gospel if we are not sharing and laboring in getting the message out. Let’s just think with a little sanctified common sense.
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
Proverbs
Christian—Be Careful How You Hear
You remember what Uncle Ben said to Spider Man? When great power comes great responsibilities.
With greater knowledge of revelation comes greater responsibility and accountability.
For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”
Mark 3:
There is a saying “rich gets richer and the poor gets poorer”. It is true in the spiritual realm. You are either growing in grace or you are growing cold and indifferent to grace.
Be careful how you listen! What is your relationship to this book now?
Christian—Disciple Others
I think one of the best ways we can apply truth not only to ourselves, but to disciple others with the truth. We don’t grow in knowledge of the Scriptures just to show off our Bible knowledge, but it is a means to an end: love for God and love for others. When I’m teaching it, there is a greater accountability to practice what I teach.
Pass on the knowledge to to others. Find someone to share it with whether it is your spouse, or children, or friends, or non-Christians God has placed around you.
Christian—Use it or Lose it
And Christian don’t be a passive hearer of God’s Word. As mentioned last week, don’t be a passive passenger on plane who listens to the safety instructions but an active listener in the ER room waiting for news that can change your life.
Christian—Steward Truth Well
We are guardians of the gospel. Let us make sure we tell others and proclaim it to others. Let us not add or subtract the message. But let us guard the message and faithfully tell others.
Church—Pray you would come to the Lord’s day eagerly and expectendly to hear God’s Word. God’s Word is not meant to be listened passively, but actively. God’s Word is not meant to tickle your ear, but transform your heart and will. God’s Word is meant to cut like a sword, to grow like a imperishable seed, to satisfy thirst like a nursing baby, to produce a spiritual harvest in our souls. Don’t be indifferent to what you are hearing because with greater knowledge of revelation comes greater accountability. What you hear will either bless you eternally if you have ears to hear or will damn you eternally if you close your hears and harden your hearts.
Transition: The Parable of the Lamp teaches us that truth is meant to be exposed and applied, while those who are indifferent to the truth will not understand it and will eventually lose it. Next, we look at the parable of the growing seed....
II. The Parable of the Growing Seed (vv. 26-29)
II. The Parable of the Growing Seed (vv. 26-29)
The kingdom of God is like a growing seed that grows mysteriously and supernaturally.
And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”
Mark
One of the best definitions I heard was from Grames Goldsworth. The Kingdom of God is God’s rule over God’s people in God’s place. We see this with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. We see this with Israel in the Promised Land. And one Day, we will see the universal reign and rule of Christ from shore to shore, west to east, north to south, over all of His creation when He returns in glory. And Jesus began or inaugurated his rule with his first coming and will complete that rule in his second coming.
But people were confused when Jesus came. Wasn’t Jesus supposed to be like a great ruler like David? Wasn’t he suppose to have a strong military? Instead he had 12 disciples composed of fishermen, tax collectors, zealots. Wasn’t Jesus suppose to usher in the kingdom and overthrow Rome? Why did Jesus die on a cross if he was God’s Ruler? These were the questions that stumped people and confused people. And Jesus explains to us why the kingdom comes in mysterious and supernatural ways.
The Kingdom of God
But as glorious as the kingdom is, the growth of the kingdom is mysterious. In other words, the kingdom grows organically, mysteriously, patiently, and supernaturally.
The farmer scatters the seed on the ground. And while he sleeps and goes to work, somehow the seed grows by itself (automata). The word grows is the same word we get the word automatic from. By God’s supernatural work, the kingdom grows without human effort.
The seed is sown into the grown. And the seen somehow without human action (sleeping and rising), the seed is still growing.
And the growth happens in stages: the blade, the ear, and then the full grain.
And then once the grain is ready to be harvested, the farmer comes and harvest the fruit and results of the seed.
And what Jesus is saying is that the kingdom grows mysteriously. It is done by the sovereign work and power of God.
And one day, God will harvest fruit from his field. This pictures both salvation and judgment because the reference may be used from Joel:
Mark 4:
Mark
Put in the sickle,
for the harvest is ripe.
Go in, tread,
for the winepress is full.
The vats overflow,
for their evil is great.
Speaking of the judgment of the Gentiles.
And they sang a new song, saying,
“Worthy are you to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation,
God’s Word will Succeed
Be encouraged that God’s word will accomplish its tasks and will not fail.
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
2. God’s Word will grant Life and reproduce
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood:
May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.
Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for
“All flesh is like grass
and all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers,
and the flower falls,
but the word of the Lord remains forever.”
And this word is the good news that was preached to you.
Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for
“All flesh is like grass
and all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers,
and the flower falls,
but the word of the Lord remains forever.”
And this word is the good news that was preached to you.
3. Don’t be discouraged with what is seen with the eyes alone
Sometimes ministry could be discouraging. But this verse reminds us that there is a mysterious and divine working of God in growing his kingdom.
William Carey (1761– 1834), the father of the modern missionary movement, labored in India seven years before seeing his first convert. He shared the gospel for more than 40 years, but the fruit of his labor was minimal. Still he could say, “The future is as bright as the promise of God” and “Expect great things [from God], attempt great things [for God].” Likewise, Adoniram Judson (1788– 1850) labored in Burma for seven years before seeing his first convert. He would die disappointed that his labors for the gospel yielded so little fruit.
William Carey (1761– 1834), the father of the modern missionary movement, labored in India seven years before seeing his first convert. He shared the gospel for more than 40 years, but the fruit of his labor was minimal. Still he could say, “The future is as bright as the promise of God” and “Expect great things [from God], attempt great things [for God].” Likewise, Adoniram Judson (1788– 1850) labored in Burma for seven years before seeing his first convert. He would die disappointed that his labors for the gospel yielded so little fruit.
Akin, Daniel L.. Exalting Jesus in Mark (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary) (pp. 91-92). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
Akin, Daniel L.. Exalting Jesus in Mark (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary) (pp. 91-92). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
Akin, Daniel L.. Exalting Jesus in Mark (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary) (pp. 91-92). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.
So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Keep sowing. Keep trusting. Keep believing. Pray for slow and steady growth in the church and in the world.
4. Go to Sleep in Peace
The success of the kingdom does not depend on the farmer, but on the seed. Go to sleep after you labor. God is awake. When you parent, when you evangelize, when you disciple and see no apparent progress, trust that God’s word is growing mysteriously and supernaturally.
Luther was asked about the success of the Reformation.
I simply taught, preached, wrote God’s Word; otherwise I did nothing. And then, while I slept, or drank Wittenberg beer with my Philip and my Amsdorf, the Word so greatly weakened the papacy that never a prince or emperor did such damage to it. I did nothing. The Word did it all.
He said he drank beer and the word did it all.
5. The kingdom comes supernaturally
We don’t build the kingdom. We don’t bring in the kingdom. No, the kingdom grows like a seed supernaturally without human intervention. The kingdom comes and grows by God’s own hand. We are to simply sow the seed and go to sleep and trust that God is establishing his rule over all of his creation.
Non-Christian—And if you haven’t trusted in Christ the king, he invites you to enter into his kingdom. His kingdom is here, but not yet. In one sense, the church is the visible outpost of the kingdom. One day, the kingdom will be completely consumnated. He sends you an invitation through the gospel message to enter now through repentance and faith.
God is holy. He deserves and demands your allegiance.
But we have rebelled against this holy God. And we deserved damnation and punishment for our treason.
Yet God is merciful. He sent His only Son into the world. To die for your sins. To live the life you should have lived, and death you should have died. and he rose again three days later.
And has sent you a personal invitation through the preaching of the gospel. If you repent and believe in the Son of God, the King of Kings, you will be welcomed into the Father’s kingdom. You must do it now before the King returns to put down all his enemies. His gospel is an offer do lay down your rebellion and lay down your arms and submit to the rule of the king now.
You can be a citizen of the kingdom. And make the citizenship known by joining other citizens and living according to the Word of God.
Transition: The kingdom is not only mean to be known and exposed, grows mysteriously and supernaturally, but finally, the final parables teaches us that kingdom will expand beyond human comprehension.
III. The Parable of the Mustard Seed (vv. 30-34)
III. The Parable of the Mustard Seed (vv. 30-34)
This parable shows us what seems insignificant at first, is actually eternally significant.
It shows us that what seems to be small, actually becomes the largest of all.
And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”
If the last parable illustrated the growth of the kingdom, this parable illustrates what is small will actually become the largest of all.
Jesus uses a mustard seed to illustrate his point. A mustard seed was a small black seed the size of a rice of grain or a grain of sand. It is the smallest of all seeds on earth meaning to Jesus listeners it was a proverbial saying of saying it is small!
Yet even when it is sown, it becomes the largest of all garden plants. The shrubs of this seed could grow 10-15 feet. And so much sow that even birds could begin to rest on it.
The picture of tree and birds nesting was used in used in the OT to symbolize the power of an empire and rest for the nations. Nebuchadnezzar speaks of his own rule that way in .
The visions of my head as I lay in bed were these: I saw, and behold, a tree in the midst of the earth, and its height was great. The tree grew and became strong, and its top reached to heaven, and it was visible to the end of the whole earth. Its leaves were beautiful and its fruit abundant, and in it was food for all. The beasts of the field found shade under it, and the birds of the heavens lived in its branches, and all flesh was fed from it.
The visions of my head as I lay in bed were these: I saw, and behold, a tree in the midst of the earth, and its height was great. The tree grew and became strong, and its top reached to heaven, and it was visible to the end of the whole earth.
And in ,
Thus says the Lord God: “I myself will take a sprig from the lofty top of the cedar and will set it out. I will break off from the topmost of its young twigs a tender one, and I myself will plant it on a high and lofty mountain. On the mountain height of Israel will I plant it, that it may bear branches and produce fruit and become a noble cedar. And under it will dwell every kind of bird; in the shade of its branches birds of every sort will nest. And all the trees of the field shall know that I am the Lord; I bring low the high tree, and make high the low tree, dry up the green tree, and make the dry tree flourish. I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it.”
The point of this parable is to show that what seems insignificant and small towards the human eye, actually is significant and large to the spiritual eye. Don’t despise what seems insignificant and small things. Small things can have great effects.
Ezekiel 17:
It is true in everyday life. A small rudder directs a huge ship. A bit directs a horse. A spark can start a forest fire. A acorn can develop into an oak tree. And a mustard seed can be the largest garden plant.
I think this was true in Jesus’ own life. From an earthly standpoint, Jesus would have seemed like a failure. He only had a few disciples during his life and toward the end of his life. One of his own abandoned him and his disciples ran away at his moment of need.
Jesus would be the ultimate seed sown to produce an eternal harvest.
And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
Jesus was the firstfuits of an eternal harvest.
But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power.
In Acts we read
All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)
All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.
And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Acts
And then 5000.
But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.
And from Jesus and his twelve disciples would grow into a movement of millions and millions of followers even to this very day.
And in the end of Revelation there is a multitude that none can number.
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
Revelation
The point of Jesus’ parable would have been self-evident to the disciples: though the kingdom of heaven at that moment was tiny, like a muster seed, it would grow to encompass the globe for generation after generation. pg. MacArthur, 229
Apologetic Defense of the Church
Some Christians are so defensive and fearful, that we forget that the work of God is doing just fine.
Whether it is the continued secularization of America, or the increase of false teachers in the prosperity of the gospel, or the liberalizing influences of the left, we must be reminded that God’s kingdom will not fail. God’s church will not fail.
He will establish his rule. And He will establish his reign.
We are not to fear, but to trust God and faithfully sow the word. The word will not return void when it seems otherwise.
Let us make sure we have confidence in the Word.
Christian-Pray for the progress of the gospel throughout the world.
because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth,
which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf
Christian-Trust in the sovereign purposes of God even though it may not be seen.
God is working while you are sleeping. We rest in God’s sovereignty. Pray that God’s kingdom would come and His will be done.
Christian-You get to be worker in the Lord’s harvest, but he is the one who will bring about the fruit.
That’s the way the kingdom is. We often do not know what God does with our service. We plant the seed, go to bed, and, while we sleep, God germinates the seed so that life grows and eventually produces a full harvest. Then God Himself reaps for His own glory. We simply need to forget about trying to see the fruit of our service immediately. It does not matter if we ever see it. We are called to take the light and let it shine, then let God do with it whatever He pleases.
Sproul. Mark (Saint Andrew's Expositional Commentary) (p. 86). Reformation Trust Publishing. Kindle Edition.
The Kingdom comes mysteriously and supernaturally
“The Kingdom of God does not come with sirens blaring and bombs bursting in air, but quietly and inconspicuously”
The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark From the Insignificant to the Incomprehensible (4:26–34)
Lord. “Out of the most insignificant beginnings, invisible to human eyes, God creates his mighty Kingdom, which embraces all the peoples of the world.”
Pay Attention to What You Hear!
With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it. He did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.
Jesus again is a master and patient teacher. To the crowds, he would speak to them in parables. But to the disciples, or the insiders, the ones who have ears to hear, he would explain it privately.
What a privilege to sit under God’s Word. What great accountability comes with God’s Word. Let us not take the Word given to us for granted.
Summary:
The kingdom of God and its message is like a lamp that is to reveals and made known to all.
The kingdom of God and its message is like a man who scatters seed, and goes to sleep and it grows mysteriously and supernaturally by the providence of God.
The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed that seems small and insignificant at first, but becomes the largest plant of the garden and is eternally significant for those who have ears and eyes to see.
If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”
May the Lord grant us ears to hear, and may he grant us eyes to see as he opens our hearts to continue to behold wonderful things in his law.
M
Notes:
Notes:
The hidden will be disclosed.
The small will be the largest.
“The spiritual principle continues to operate. When one is receptive to God’s Word and the enligtenment which God’s Spirit funishes it, his spiritual capacity becomes greater. Thus, the more he comprehends spiritually, the more he is able to receive. Sadly enough, the opposite is also true. Those who fail to give attentive hearing to God’s Word will eventually lose even that superficial understanding of God’s truth they may now have.”
Illustration: I drank beer and the Word did it all.
Illustration: Jesus own life and the church is the illustation of the principle!
“The lamp was a small terracotta vessel with a lighted wick.”Hiebert
In one sense, Jesus was veiled.
“The tiny seed, about the size of a grain of sand, produced a plant which often attained a height of ten to twelve feet” Hiebert 120
Birds amke their nest there.
William Carey (1761– 1834), the father of the modern missionary movement, labored in India seven years before seeing his first convert. He shared the gospel for more than 40 years, but the fruit of his labor was minimal. Still he could say, “The future is as bright as the promise of God” and “Expect great things [from God], attempt great things [for God].” Likewise, Adoniram Judson (1788– 1850) labored in Burma for seven years before seeing his first convert. He would die disappointed that his labors for the gospel yielded so little fruit.
Akin, Daniel L.. Exalting Jesus in Mark (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary) (pp. 91-92). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
Akin, Daniel L.. Exalting Jesus in Mark (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary) (p. 91). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
[1] James R. Edwards, 143.
Sproul. Mark (Saint Andrew's Expositional Commentary) (p. 86). Reformation Trust Publishing. Kindle Edition.
Sproul. Mark (Saint Andrew's Expositional Commentary) (p. 86). Reformation Trust Publishing. Kindle Edition.
Sproul. Mark (Saint Andrew's Expositional Commentary) (p. 86). Reformation Trust Publishing. Kindle Edition.
Strauss, Mark L.. Mark (Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament) . Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
The point of this parable is simple: in the same way that the farmer is not the power behind the regeneration of the seed, so also the evangelist is not the power behind the regeneration of souls. pg. 218 macarthur
The point of this parable is simple: in the same way that the farmer is not the power behind the regeneration of the seed, so also the evangelist is not the power behind the regeneration of souls. pg. 218 macarthur
Every Christian has the privilege of knowing and understanding the truth, a reality that enables them to be fruitful hearers. pg. 222
The Gospel of Mark (d) Exhortation to True Hearing. Ch. 4:21–25
Verse 22, with its “secrecy” language, sustains this contrast and implies that there is something hidden now which shall later be unveiled; there is a secret which shall become known.
The Gospel of Mark (e) The Parable of the Growth of the Seed. Ch. 4:26–29
The stress in the parable thus falls upon the sowing of the seed as a messianic work which unleashes mysterious forces which operate of themselves in the achievement of the sovereign purposes of God.
You get what you put in.
The New International Greek Testament Commentary: The Gospel of Mark Short Parables on Revelation and Response (4:21–25)
Parables, heard with proper understanding and response, will bring a rich reward; divine grace goes beyond the limits of mere reciprocity.
The New International Greek Testament Commentary: The Gospel of Mark Two More Parables about Seed (4:26–32)
The kingdom of God, then, does not depend on human effort to achieve it, and human insight will not be able to explain it.
The New International Greek Testament Commentary: The Gospel of Mark Two More Parables about Seed (4:26–32)
The theme is a familiar one: ‘Great oaks from little acorns grow’. Those who witnessed the initial proclamation of the kingdom of God must not despise small beginnings, nor should they be impatient for the full majesty of God’s kingdom to be revealed (cf. perhaps the question of John the Baptist in Mt. 11:3).
What seems as insignficant will have ultimate signficant.
The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark Hiddenness that Reveals (4:21–25)
In the OT, a lamp is not infrequently a metaphor for God (2 Sam 22:29) or the Davidic Messiah (2 Kgs 8:19; Ps 132:17) or the Torah (Ps 119:105). Not only does Mark distinguish the lamp by making it the acting subject, but he refers to it with the definite article, the lamp. Finally, reference to the lamp coming (Gk. erchetai) is more suitable of a person than an object, and has indeed been used of Jesus earlier (1:7; 3:20). These particulars signal that this is no ordinary lamp. The image points to Jesus as the implied agent, for whom the lamp is a metaphor. Jesus is the lamp of God who has come to bring light and revelation (John 1:5; 8:12).
The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark Hiddenness that Reveals (4:21–25)
The degree to which one hears the parables, the extent to which one allows the kingdom to break upon oneself, will determine the measure of one’s understanding.
The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark From the Insignificant to the Incomprehensible (4:26–34)
Lord. “Out of the most insignificant beginnings, invisible to human eyes, God creates his mighty Kingdom, which embraces all the peoples of the world.”
Word Pictures in the New Testament Mark 4:27
This secret and mysterious growth of the kingdom in the heart and life is the point of this beautiful parable given only by Mark. “When man has done his part, the actual process of growth is beyond his reach or comprehension” (Swete).
You will be held accountable to what you hear.
The NET Bible First Edition Notes Notes for 4:32
36 sn The point of the parable seems to be that while the kingdom of God may appear to have insignificant and unnoticeable beginnings (i.e., in the ministry of Jesus), it will someday (i.e., at the second advent) be great and quite expansive.
Be careful how you hear.
Daily Study Bible Series: The Gospel of Mark (Revised Edition) The Light Which Must Be Seen
(i) Truth is meant to be seen; it is not meant to be concealed. There may be times when it is dangerous to tell the truth; there may be times when to tell the truth is the quickest way to persecution and to trouble. But the true man and the true Christian will stand by the truth in face of all.
Daily Study Bible Series: The Gospel of Mark (Revised Edition) The Law of Increase
(ii) It is true of effort. The more physical strength a man has, the more, within the limits of his bodily frame, he can acquire. The more he trains his body, the more his body will be able to do. On the other hand, if he allows his physical frame to grow slack and flabby and soft he will end by losing even the fitness that he had. We would sometimes do well to remember that our bodies belong to God as much as our souls. Many a man has been hindered from doing the work he might do because he has made himself physically unfit to do it.
The NIV Application Commentary: Mark The Parable of the Measure (4:24–25)
The economic axiom that the poor get poorer and the rich get richer also holds true for the spiritual life.
The NIV Application Commentary: Mark Bridging Contexts
To allow these parables to speak to us in our setting, we should emphasize two themes that emerge from them: the hiddenness of God’s kingdom, and the confidence that even though the kingdom lies hidden, it is working to produce the harvest that God intends.
New Testament II: Mark (Revised) Hiding Good Works
HIDING GOOD WORKS. TERTULLIAN: Why does the Lord call us the light of the world? Why has he compared us to a city on a hill? Are we not called to shine in the midst of darkness, and stand up high for those most sunk down? If you hide your lamp beneath a bushel,4 you will soon notice that you yourself will be in the dark. You will find others bumping into you. So what can you do to illumine the world? Let your faith produce good works. Be a reflection of God’s light. The good is not preoccupied with darkness. It rejoices in being seen. It exults over the very pointings which are made at it. Christian modesty not only wishes to be modest, but also it wishes to be beheld as what it actually is.