Mark 4
Go Deeper
Mark 4 gives us a picture of Jesus the teacher. Four parables, four lessons. He’s the God of the harvest. He is the Light of the world. He is the God of abundance. He is Sovereign over creation. He brings the harvest, the rain, and the sun. He produces life while we “do not know how” (vs. 27). The confidence of man is in the patient expectation that God will grow our lives to bear much fruit.
Yet, sometimes our confidence that God will do what He says is shaken. Our patient expectation is replaced with confusion and fear. I’m so thankful we not only observe Jesus as teacher in this chapter, but we also observe his students, the disciples. This band of brothers usually didn’t understand what Jesus was doing, but Jesus’ interactions with his disciples often involved Jesus removing their confusion and doubt. Eugene Peterson phrases it, “When Jesus was alone with his disciples, he went over everything, sorting out the tangles, untying the knots” (vs. 34). Jesus taught. They asked questions. Jesus explained. First the lesson, then the dialogue, then the understanding. How often do we want understanding before we agree with the instruction? Yet, it’s in the dialogue, the prayer, the honest confessions of our heart, where God sorts out the tangles and reminds us He is Sovereign over it all.
Questions
What is the first thing that stood out to you about the character of Jesus in today’s reading?
What are the characteristics of each of the four soils? Which one most resonates with you? Why?
Reread verses 26-29. What circumstances of your life do you need to trust the sovereign work of the Spirit to produce a harvest? Are you relying on your own effectiveness and effort for that work?
In verses 35-41, we see that the disciples’ honesty leads to a miracle. What storm are you facing right now? Spend some time in honest confession and prayer. Ask God to calm the storm.