Parables may not be unfamiliar to Christians. Jesus often speaks about the kingdom in parables. What is the kingdom like?
But let us also take a step back and consider why Jesus speaks in parables? Why does Jesus regularly obscure what He means to say? Why does Jesus make it difficult to understand?
Now, a parable is a symbolic short story, an extended metaphor. In this story, there are often corresponding figures that stand for other things. In the teachings of Jesus, the parables are usually accompanied with an explanation. Jesus’s parable are not mythical, imaginative but incredibly grounded and based on daily life. In these parables, Jesus reveals the truth of the kingdom. They are real world teachings with meaning.
What can we learn from these parables in Mark 4?
(A) The kingdom is in how we hear and receive the word (Mark 4:1-25)
Previously we learnt that Jesus came to teach and preach, and His miraculous works validated His teaching. The setting of Mark 4 re-establish this main work of Jesus. We see that Jesus began to teach beside the sea and a very large crowd gathered about Him so He got into a boat and sat in it on the sea (Mark 4:1). This was a repetition of what had happened in Mark 3:9. Jesus sought some distance between Him and the crowds.
These verses show us how Jesus is focused on teaching, but the crowds are not necessarily here for His teaching. However, He continues to give them what He desires to, on His terms. Parables are like the boat. Jesus is not going to give Himself easily to the people. The boat, like the parable, are a reminder that Jesus operates on His own terms. He will not give Himself to the crowd easily. We should never think that we are doing Jesus a favour when we come to Him.
Jesus taught parables publicly (c.f. Mark 4:2). From Mark 4:10-13, we learn that the parable were for everyone and Jesus wants them to see and hear though they may not perceive and understand. If they saw and understood, they will turn and be forgiven. He spoke to all an they were able to hear it (Mark 4:33).
However, Jesus explained everything to His disciples in private (Mark 4:34). In Mark 4:10-13, we read, “when he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him… to you have been given the secret… do you not understand”. Jesus also taught them that “...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…” (Mark 4:21-25).
From Mark 4:21-25 we can see that Jesus is trying to distinguish between two groups of people. Jesus is not intentionally concealing, for He is teaching and communicating. But He is doing so in a way that seems to require effort on the part of the listener to be committed to receive. They have ears but are they listening (Mark 4:23)?
This should make us think about the active duty and burden of the listener. A parable is another way of making us listen. This is the secret of the kingdom. Access has been put out there, but the question is whether we have received it.
Jesus tells the parable of the soils in Mark 4:3-9, and this is anchored on the question of whether the listeners are listening. The sower sows the word and there are 4 responses to the sown word in the 4 soils. The sower does not distinguish between soils and is not about him choosing where to plant. Rather, it is focused on the different soils.
The four soils, the result of the sowing and the corresponding attitude of the hearers can be understood as follows:
Seed that fell on the path had birds coming and devouring it. Note how it hears the word but Satan immediately comes and takes away the word. Immediate rejection. It is a picture of hard hearts.
Seed that fell on rocky ground did not have much soil. A plant sprang up but when the sun rose, it was scorched and withered since it had no root. This represents those who immediately receive with joy, but because they have no root in themselves but endure for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises, they fall away. It is a picture of shallow faith, shallow heart
Seed that fell among the thorns grew, but the thorns choked it, and it yielded no grain. Jesus explained that the cares of the world and deceitfulness of riches and desire for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. It is a picture of distracted, strangled hearts.
Seed that fell on good soil produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold, sixtyfold and hundredfold. This marks those who hear the word, accept it and bear fruit. It is a picture of receptive, open hearts.
Friends, see how fruit-bearing is the product of life. It is new life that grows out of old life. It is progress in the faith in real terms because one is alive spiritually in Christ.
The parable lies in whether or not one hears and really hears. This is the key. This is sobering for us too and it will do us good to reflect on our own hearts. Are you bearing fruit? If you are not bearing fruit, not endure, hear and really hear, you may not be a good soil. Press on, persevere in the faith.
(B) The kingdom advances apart from human means (Mark 4:26-29)
Jesus tells as second parable. In this parable, a man scatters the seed, i.e. teaches the word (Mark 4:26). He sleeps and sees growth (Mark 4:27). Growth does not happen from the teacher but is from God through the seed. The central action point is the seed that sprouts and grow, and the main actor is the one who makes the seed grow (Mark 4:26-27).
This is the power of God’s word to do His own work. The word works when the worker is asleep.
This humbles us. We often think that if we prepare more, work harder, are better in different ways, people might be changed. God works and it is not primarily by human means. Growth, if any, does not come from us. Any teacher of the word cannot claim credit for any growth. Our job is to bear fruit by responding to the life-giving work of the word. Do you teach Sunday School or the youths, or lead a CG? This parable is also for us. We do our part to explain the word to them, trust God, and go to sleep.
(C) The kingdom seems so small, but will be greater than all (Mark 4:30-34)
Jesus tells a third kingdom parable. The kingdom is compared to a grain of mustard seed (Mark 4:30). Now, how much can this grow? In this parable, the tree becomes so big and puts out it large branches so that the birds can make nests in its shade (Mark 4:31-32).
Are you looking at the tree version or the seed version of the kingdom? What does the kingdom of heaven look like? Are you typically tempted to underestimate the kingdom of heaven? Are you more likely to misunderstand the potential of this small seed, or are you prone to forget the simple beginnings of the great tree?
Maybe it does not look impressive — and you see the challenges in your church. But even if there is a small group of Christians trying to be faithful to the Scriptures, this calls us to look beyond what our eyes can see.
What does this parable have to say to correct our misunderstanding? The kingdom of heaven can seem so small and insignificant. But this is not it. Jesus came to this earth, as a carpenter, was killed, crucified, dead and buried. He was resurrected and now, all over this earth, His name is proclaimed and celebrated. One day, all will bow the knee. On that day, the tree would have grown so big and wide. The kingdom of heaven will be like this.