Mark 4a Commentary
“When he was alone …” Alone but still with the twelve disciples and others! That’s Mark’s way of describing Jesus’ ‘me’ time. Otherwise what we have seen in these opening chapters are huge numbers of people around Jesus.
The whole town gathered at the door, Chapter 1 verse 33.
They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left. Chapter 2 verse 2.
Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed. Chapter 3 verse 7.
The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake. Chapter 4 verse 1.
The parable of the farmer (Farmer) draws our attention to a couple of thoughts. We can see the generosity of the Farmer because he has scattered seeds even along the path! Everyone hears the word! The large crowds are from everywhere and consist of everyone.
Different results are expected. Satan steals from the careless ones. The cares of this world keep others from growing. With good soil, there is a good crop; this is the desired result. This parable demands action from the listener.
Keep Satan away from the valuable seed. Let the seed grow. Don’t be shallow. Watch out for thorns – the desires of the flesh. And guess what? You are suddenly good soil that produces good fruit.
This parable isn’t a farmer’s conference or a workshop on “best practices” or “best seeds”. Yes, it is a conference but the participants are the soils! To be the best soil, that is the subject of the conference.
The parable of a lamp on a stand is probably a reference to the product of good soil. Let there be fruitfulness! Let the world see it. And let the saints know that their fruitfulness is a heavenly process. They simply let themselves loose and available and the LORD of the harvest does the rest. It emphasizes the need to let the LORD (the Holy Spirit) have His way (His rule) in the saint’s life.
The “smallest seed” is a reference to faith – a decision to let the LORD rule or cultivate holiness within the saint’s heart. Submit to the rule of the King and you will be shocked at how fruitful your life becomes! Addictions and controlling wicked desires all disappear. Shockingly beautiful! And you immediately know the LORD has done it.
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