Thoughts for the Day

Wednesday, 29th January 2025: The use of parables by Jesus

Stories Parables Mark 4 Disciples Jesus Opposition

Reading : Verses from Mark, Chapter 4

Parable of the sower

When Jesus was alone, those who were around him along with the twelve asked him about the parables. And he said to them, ‘To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside, everything comes in parables; in order that

“they may indeed look, but not perceive,
and may indeed listen, but not understand;
so that they may not turn again and be forgiven.”’

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)


Thoughts

In Mark's Gospel the crowds are quickly following Jesus and there are so many that he is forced to step onto a boat to teach the people. With no modern technology available to him he uses the water to act as a loudspeaker - think how easy it is to hear someone talking on a rowing boat from the shore! The northern shore of the Sea of Galilee slopes gently from low hills to the water in places, leaving grassy areas for large numbers of people to stand or sit even today.

Chapters 1-3 of Mark's Gospel show us Jesus choosing his disciples and then touring the area of Galilee and healing the people. There is mention of him teaching, but not what he has been teaching. The use of story and everyday objects like salt, light, and sheep would have been customary as we can see in the other Gospels. However, opposition is beginning to stir, and he reverts to a different form, by using parables. In this case he has just told them the Parable of the Sower (Mark 4.1-20). We are always taught that parables are "stories with heavenly meanings". They are not always easy to understand though, and we see that afterwards some of the disciples ask him what is the meaning of the story, and why he uses parables.

Jesus explains the parable, and gives a reason for their use. Effectively he says, that those who wilfully refuse to accept his message and who have no desire for God's truth, will be left spiritually blind; but those with a hunger for God's word will find it easy to remember God's message and will apply it to their life.


Prayer

Holy Spirit, Power of God,
open our ears that we may hear Your truth.
May we long to know Your word for us
and apply it to our life..
Come to us this day,
and cut through the noise and clamour of the world
to speak to our heart.
May we throw off the blinkers
that often make us spiritually blind,
and welcome Your involvement in our life.
Amen.


Follow Up Thoughts

If you would like to explore the parables and compare some from different Gospels this is a great site, just get rid of the "pop-ups" if you don't like them:

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