In Mark 4:21-29 Jesus, who is also called the “Word” in Scripture is instructing His disciples about the word. I don’t know about you, but that definitely made me sit up and pay attention. May we have ears to hear and hearts that desire His truth more than our necessary food.
Verses 21-23: Also He said to them, “Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand? 22 For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”
Jesus’ teachings were not meant to be hidden or for the disciples alone...Jesus was instructing them so that they could go and do likewise. The disciples were meant to be lights in this dark world and share the words of Jesus...the gospel...with others.
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.—Matthew 28:19-20
Verses 24-25: Then He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given. 25 For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”
With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you. The disciples would reap what they sowed. Beloved, the same is true for us...the more time we faithfully spend in the word of God and apply its truth in our lives, the more truth we will receive to apply. And too much is given much will be required.
Verses 26-29: And He said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, 27 and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. 28 For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. 29 But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”
These verses are my favorite in this section. I love the progression. Matthew Henry explains it beautifully.
This parable of the good seed, shows the manner in which the kingdom of God makes progress in the world. Let but the word of Christ have the place it ought to have in a soul, and it will show itself in a good conversation. It grows gradually: first the blade; then the ear; after that the full corn in the ear. When it is sprung up, it will go forward. The work of grace in the soul is, at first, but the day of small things; yet it has mighty products even now, while it is in its growth; but what will there be when it is perfected in heaven!
Beloved...Abide in the vine! Cling to Jesus, who is the very Word of God. Your life will fill with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.—John 15:4
If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.—John 15:7
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord—Colossians 3:16
Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.—James 1:21-25
