Welcome to Timeless Truth with Pastor Jim Thomas. In season 2, Pastor Jim is leading us in a study of Mark. Today’s passage is Mark 4:21-34.
Parables do two things: they reveal and they conceal. Jesus said that which one a parable does for you will be determined by whether you have ears to hear and eyes to see.
“Pharisees, the persons in the first century who knew the words of scripture well but heard the voice of God not at all… They separated the book from the human act of hearing which would become believing, following, and loving. Printer’s ink became embalming fluid.”
– Eugene Peterson, Reversed Thunder
What do we see in these parables?
Three gifts from God and the three goals God has in giving them…
V21-22 The gift of light is for the goal of seeing
The early church leader Augustine was once accosted by a heathen who showed him his idol and said, “Here is my god; where is thine?” Augustine replied, “I cannot show you my God; not because there is no God to show, but because you have no eyes to see Him.”
“The Spirit does not add new information about Jesus. He simply opens our eyes to see who He really is.”
— Sinclair Ferguson
V23-25 The gift of having ears is for the goal of hearing
“Hearing is a precious gift; don’t waste it on rubbish.”
– Peter Adam, #TGC17
V26-34 The gift of the kingdom is for the goal of multiplying faith, trust, wonder and rest.
Remain watchful, eager to follow Jesus, careful not to get distracted. Jesus is the light of the world, look to Jesus to interpret everything you experience in this world, the beauty, the wonder, and yes, even including the pain and suffering. We see all of this through the lens of the cross of Christ and His glorious Resurrection.
Lean in to seeing yourself as a member of the kingdom of heaven. Take note of the surprising advances of God’s kindness toward you, the awe and wonder of God’s persistent expressions of love and compassion for you; displayed most vividly in the person and work of Jesus Christ. And then rest, rest, rest… find rest for your soul in Jesus Christ.
“The greatest single secret of spiritual development lies in personal, humble, believing, obedient response to the Word of God. It is as God speaks to us through his Word that his warnings can bring us to conviction of sin, his promises to assurance of forgiveness, and his commands to amendment of life. We live and grow by his Word.”
– John Stott, Confess Your Sins
