Jesus Teaches in Parables

Mark 4:1-9, 26-32

GOLDEN TEXT: “If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.”—Mark 4:23

TWO interesting and important viewpoints are presented in our lesson for today. One is that the long-promised Kingdom of God is slowly, gradually developing, that its development covers the whole period of the Gospel age, and not until after that is it to reign in power and great glory for the blessing of all the families of the earth. The other important viewpoint is brought to us in the Golden Text, which shows that the Kingdom message during this age is not forced upon any, that it is intended only for those who hunger and thirst after righteousness and are willing to pay the cost of discipleship.

Jesus taught the public in parables in order that they might not understand the full import of His doctrines. On the other hand, a parable is an illustration, and can be used as well to clarify a subject; and Jesus’ parables do help materially to clarify many details concerning the manner in which the Kingdom is prepared and finally established. When Jesus was at one with His disciples He explained the parables to them, applying their lessons to the divine plan. But to those who did not have ears to hear, these explanations were not given, hence the parables kept the Kingdom teachings obscure to the general public.

The Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:1-9) must have sounded very strange to Israelites who expected Christ’s Kingdom, from the start, to be impressive and powerful enough to liberate their nation from the Roman yoke and spread its beneficent influence throughout all the earth. Instead of astute generalship leading a conquering army to victory, this parable speaks of a sower scattering seed, only a small portion of which produces a mature crop to reward the sower’s efforts.

Without explanation this parable would surely serve to keep the truth from being understood by those not in a heart condition to benefit from it. But when explained, how well it serves to illustrate the method by which the Kingdom class is selected from the world throughout the Gospel age, as well as the difficulties incidental thereto. First, there is the sowing of the seed of truth, the Gospel message. It is not directed specifically to individuals, but broadcast, and falls in various places, as represented by the good ground, the wayside, the stony ground and the thorns.

And how true this has been, as all can testify who have been active in proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom. Judging from human standards of success little is accomplished by preaching the truth for so much of the seed seems to he wasted, but the parable of the sower shows that this would be the case. But from the divine standpoint there is no failure. The broadcasting of the message was not intended to convert the world, but merely to reach those whose hearts would respond in full consecration to do God’s will.

Those who are to constitute the Kingdom class of joint-heirs with Christ must be tested and tried. Some may like the sound of the message, but when they find that obedience to it leads to sacrifice, ignominy and suffering, they lose interest. Only those who are willing to suffer with Christ will have the privilege of reigning with Him, and these are the ones in the parable whose roots go down deep into the good ground, enabling them to endure the heat of the day and to withstand the storms of opposition that beat against the followers of the Master.

The parable, illustrating the Kingdom in its preparatory stage, also reveals that the true Kingdom class is small in number, a “little flock,” as we read in Luke 12:32. Those of the world represented by the seed; which falls elsewhere than in the good ground will have their real opportunity in the next age, when the Kingdom is established in power and great glory. Meanwhile, many receive a temporary blessing from the measure of enlightenment they receive. It is true, of course, that any willfulness connected with a failure to profit from the truth, even now, will be punished; but in most cases failure to respond fully to the message is due to a lack of sufficient appreciation to enable the hearer to brave the heat of persecution and to disentangle himself from the many worldly cares that hinder a proper living of the consecrated life.

The parable of the Mustard Seed may represent the Kingdom from the nominal standpoint—as the world views the results of church activities. From a little seed we have a great institution, with many denominational branches. But, alas! the thrifty development has invited into these branches those whom the Lord describes in Revelation 18:2 as unclean and hateful birds.

The nominal church-kingdom—Christendom—is not the real Kingdom of God, although it is the only one the world as yet knows. The imposing mustard tree, giving shelter to so many, will ultimately be uprooted in the great time of trouble with which this age closes, and the true Kingdom will be established in its place and through it all nations will receive the true and rich blessings of promise. Oh let us flee from the mustard tree if perchance we find ourselves still nesting in it! Lest when it is cut down we fall and suffer with it.

“Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.”—Revelation 18:4

QUESTIONS:

Why did Jesus speak to the general public in parables?

Relate the Parable of the Sower and explain what it teaches.

What is represented by the Parable of the Mustard Seed?

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