A Mustard Seed March 26
Mark 4:30 Then He said, “To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it? 31 It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth; 32 but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade.”
Jesus asks His listeners to participate in a visualization of the kingdom of God. He then compares the mustard seed to the kingdom of God.
The mustard plant can be called a tree or a bush. It grows to 20 feet tall or more, and may be up to 20 feet wide, and it originates from one of the smallest of seeds.
Like the mustard seed, the first glimpse of the truth of the spiritual nature of the world opens miraculous possibilities.
The seed of truth is smaller than the mustard seed. Planted in the soil of a willing heart, the spirit grows larger than the physical person, grows beyond the limitation of the human form.
Growing in spiritual reality, the seed is transformed into a haven of peace. The inner beauty shines for all to see. The spirit of love is its fragrance, and the promise of rest is in its limbs. All will be drawn by the desire oi be in its presence and experience the desires of the soul.
From a tiny seed in good soil, with a bit of water and a ray of light….
From a spark of love received in a weary heart, with the breath of the Spirit and a ray of hope…..
Only Parables March 27
Mark 4:33-34 And with many such parables He spoke the word to them as they were able to hear it. 34 But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples.
Mark tells us that Jesus spoke many parables, but he does not include them in his writing. “He spoke the word to them (the crowd and the disciples) as they were able to hear it.” In other words, they understood to the degree that they were able to understand.
Rather than abstract theology, Jesus gives His followers lessons in terms of their daily lives. The lessons are taught, but are they learned?
Words are themselves only representatives of the meaning we want to convey to one another. The parable is a shortcut, a picture that represents in a few words a concept that might require a long speech.
Jesus scatters the seed of the kingdom of God in parables to the crowds. Where the seed lands is less important than having the seed land on as many as possible. His words will take root in good soil wherever it is.
The disciples have the benefit of Jesus as both a teacher and a counselor. He gives them the assignment: “Consider this….” And then He helps them to come to an understanding of what the parable means.
He is not only teaching the disciples the Good News, Jesus is instructing them on how to teach.
Crossing Over March 28
Mark 4:35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.”
At the end of the day, “when evening had come,” Jesus says, “’Let us cross over to the other side.’” He is giving them fair warning.
Until this point, Mark has not given us a sense that the disciples have been directly challenged. Jesus has faced opposition, but He has been the lightning rod drawing the fire, and He has directed that fire to ground, away from the disciples.
He is about to take them across to the other side. Literally, He is taking them across the Sea of Galilee. Figuratively, they are passing through the storms of life’s journey.
The journey through life is not all calm sea. There are strong breezes, gales, storms, and the occasional hurricane. We do what we are able to do up to a point, and then events are beyond our control.
We learn about our character, our core beliefs, during the times of trial. Until tested, the lessons of the mind versus the lessons of the heart are not clearly distinguished.
Passing through the challenge, our strengths and weaknesses are exposed. Our reflex responses show what lessons have been engrained and what lessons have been superficially accepted.
The teaching of the parables in the safety of the shore has ended. Jesus’ calm suggestion to cross to the other side belies the nature of the journey, a harder lesson.
Peace March 29
Mark 4:36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”
Has God slept through your storms?
As the boats make their way across the Sea of Galilee, a storm arises. The fishermen steering the boats are familiar with the hazards of the sea, but this storm stretches beyond their experience, beyond their abilities.
The landlubber in the stern seems unconcerned, but the disciples believe all their lives are in peril. They call to Him with some reproach, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
Jesus’ responds to the disciples’ plea. He commands, “’Peace, be still!’ And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.”
Does He speak these words to the disciples as well as to the storm?
Can you hear the command amidst your own storm?
Jesus knew peace, asleep in the stern of the boat, even in the storm.
Be Still! March 30
Mark 4:39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.
Does this command sound familiar?
We go to Psalm 46, particularly verse 10, although verse 1 is always appropriate, and verse 3 addresses the disciples’ situation.
Ps. 46:1 God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah…. 10 Be still, and know that I am God….
The psalm calls for Israel to be still. We also understand the command to “be still” is given to the various violent events mentioned before verse 10, including earthquakes, storms on the sea, and warring nations.
We respond to the storms of life with the resources and abilities that are at our command. This is our business, to do what we are able when appropriate.
Other people respond likewise, doing their business in their storms, so to speak.
Some storms are overwhelming, beyond our abilities. We do all that we are able, but it is not enough. In some situations, nothing we can do will be enough. These belong to God.
We must leave God to perform the tasks that are His, especially when events are beyond our understanding. When God says, “Peace, be still,” we are to listen.
This is faith, to be still, even in the storm.
The Other Side March 31
Mark 5:1 Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes.
Crossing over, the time of transition, is difficult. Arriving at the other side, a new place with another type of storm in a different sea of people, is also difficult.
Jesus and His disciples have left Galilee, nominal Israel, and entered an area known as the Decapolis (Greek for “Ten Cities”). This area is Gentile, steeped in Greek culture and religion. They do not welcome Jews.
They arrive in the country of the Gadarenes. Gadara was one of the ten cities of the Decapolis. The two Greek words for the area are relevant: Strong’s G1046, Gadara, “reward at the end,” is the city. G1086, Gergesene, “a stranger drawing near,” refers to the region (G1086 is used in Matthew 8:28).
The new place does not have the stiff-necked opposition of the legalist mindset of the Jews in Galilee. Indeed, these people are the opposite. They have neither the same laws nor the same God.
There is no respite after the difficulty of transition, only a new kind of difficulty. The obstacles in Galilee now appear similar to those in the land of the Gentiles, at least outwardly.
Gadara, the “reward at the end” sounds promising, but there is an ominous note in Gergasene, “a stranger drawing near.”
Jesus and the disciples had found followers and foes and evil spirits in Galilee. The “stranger drawing near” will be one of those three.
Stranger April 1
Mark 5:2 And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 3 who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, 4 because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. 5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.
The “reward at the end” of their boat journey is “a stranger drawing near,” a man with an unclean spirit. He has superhuman strength; lives in the rough-hewn tombs cut into the rocks; in the dark; shrieks and cuts himself, but insensible to the pain; a beast who cannot be chained.
There had been unclean spirits behind them, and now another man filled with an unclean spirit in front of them. The Greek culture is no less infested with evil spirits than the Jewish culture.
And this man is unrestrained evil.
This storm on land cannot be bound any more easily than a storm at sea.
The people of the region are powerless against this madman. Their law is of no effect, for he has broken their shackles and is free of bondage to any man or law.
The disciples are helpless again, and are but spectators to the battle for peace against chaos.
How have things changed in their crossing over to the other side?
Next day
Mark 4:30 Then He said, “To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it? 31 It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth; 32 but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade.”
Jesus asks His listeners to participate in a visualization of the kingdom of God. He then compares the mustard seed to the kingdom of God.
The mustard plant can be called a tree or a bush. It grows to 20 feet tall or more, and may be up to 20 feet wide, and it originates from one of the smallest of seeds.
Like the mustard seed, the first glimpse of the truth of the spiritual nature of the world opens miraculous possibilities.
The seed of truth is smaller than the mustard seed. Planted in the soil of a willing heart, the spirit grows larger than the physical person, grows beyond the limitation of the human form.
Growing in spiritual reality, the seed is transformed into a haven of peace. The inner beauty shines for all to see. The spirit of love is its fragrance, and the promise of rest is in its limbs. All will be drawn by the desire oi be in its presence and experience the desires of the soul.
From a tiny seed in good soil, with a bit of water and a ray of light….
From a spark of love received in a weary heart, with the breath of the Spirit and a ray of hope…..
Only Parables March 27
Mark 4:33-34 And with many such parables He spoke the word to them as they were able to hear it. 34 But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples.
Mark tells us that Jesus spoke many parables, but he does not include them in his writing. “He spoke the word to them (the crowd and the disciples) as they were able to hear it.” In other words, they understood to the degree that they were able to understand.
Rather than abstract theology, Jesus gives His followers lessons in terms of their daily lives. The lessons are taught, but are they learned?
Words are themselves only representatives of the meaning we want to convey to one another. The parable is a shortcut, a picture that represents in a few words a concept that might require a long speech.
Jesus scatters the seed of the kingdom of God in parables to the crowds. Where the seed lands is less important than having the seed land on as many as possible. His words will take root in good soil wherever it is.
The disciples have the benefit of Jesus as both a teacher and a counselor. He gives them the assignment: “Consider this….” And then He helps them to come to an understanding of what the parable means.
He is not only teaching the disciples the Good News, Jesus is instructing them on how to teach.
Crossing Over March 28
Mark 4:35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.”
At the end of the day, “when evening had come,” Jesus says, “’Let us cross over to the other side.’” He is giving them fair warning.
Until this point, Mark has not given us a sense that the disciples have been directly challenged. Jesus has faced opposition, but He has been the lightning rod drawing the fire, and He has directed that fire to ground, away from the disciples.
He is about to take them across to the other side. Literally, He is taking them across the Sea of Galilee. Figuratively, they are passing through the storms of life’s journey.
The journey through life is not all calm sea. There are strong breezes, gales, storms, and the occasional hurricane. We do what we are able to do up to a point, and then events are beyond our control.
We learn about our character, our core beliefs, during the times of trial. Until tested, the lessons of the mind versus the lessons of the heart are not clearly distinguished.
Passing through the challenge, our strengths and weaknesses are exposed. Our reflex responses show what lessons have been engrained and what lessons have been superficially accepted.
The teaching of the parables in the safety of the shore has ended. Jesus’ calm suggestion to cross to the other side belies the nature of the journey, a harder lesson.
Peace March 29
Mark 4:36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”
Has God slept through your storms?
As the boats make their way across the Sea of Galilee, a storm arises. The fishermen steering the boats are familiar with the hazards of the sea, but this storm stretches beyond their experience, beyond their abilities.
The landlubber in the stern seems unconcerned, but the disciples believe all their lives are in peril. They call to Him with some reproach, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
Jesus’ responds to the disciples’ plea. He commands, “’Peace, be still!’ And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.”
Does He speak these words to the disciples as well as to the storm?
Can you hear the command amidst your own storm?
Jesus knew peace, asleep in the stern of the boat, even in the storm.
Be Still! March 30
Mark 4:39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.
Does this command sound familiar?
We go to Psalm 46, particularly verse 10, although verse 1 is always appropriate, and verse 3 addresses the disciples’ situation.
Ps. 46:1 God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah…. 10 Be still, and know that I am God….
The psalm calls for Israel to be still. We also understand the command to “be still” is given to the various violent events mentioned before verse 10, including earthquakes, storms on the sea, and warring nations.
We respond to the storms of life with the resources and abilities that are at our command. This is our business, to do what we are able when appropriate.
Other people respond likewise, doing their business in their storms, so to speak.
Some storms are overwhelming, beyond our abilities. We do all that we are able, but it is not enough. In some situations, nothing we can do will be enough. These belong to God.
We must leave God to perform the tasks that are His, especially when events are beyond our understanding. When God says, “Peace, be still,” we are to listen.
This is faith, to be still, even in the storm.
The Other Side March 31
Mark 5:1 Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes.
Crossing over, the time of transition, is difficult. Arriving at the other side, a new place with another type of storm in a different sea of people, is also difficult.
Jesus and His disciples have left Galilee, nominal Israel, and entered an area known as the Decapolis (Greek for “Ten Cities”). This area is Gentile, steeped in Greek culture and religion. They do not welcome Jews.
They arrive in the country of the Gadarenes. Gadara was one of the ten cities of the Decapolis. The two Greek words for the area are relevant: Strong’s G1046, Gadara, “reward at the end,” is the city. G1086, Gergesene, “a stranger drawing near,” refers to the region (G1086 is used in Matthew 8:28).
The new place does not have the stiff-necked opposition of the legalist mindset of the Jews in Galilee. Indeed, these people are the opposite. They have neither the same laws nor the same God.
There is no respite after the difficulty of transition, only a new kind of difficulty. The obstacles in Galilee now appear similar to those in the land of the Gentiles, at least outwardly.
Gadara, the “reward at the end” sounds promising, but there is an ominous note in Gergasene, “a stranger drawing near.”
Jesus and the disciples had found followers and foes and evil spirits in Galilee. The “stranger drawing near” will be one of those three.
Stranger April 1
Mark 5:2 And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 3 who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, 4 because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. 5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.
The “reward at the end” of their boat journey is “a stranger drawing near,” a man with an unclean spirit. He has superhuman strength; lives in the rough-hewn tombs cut into the rocks; in the dark; shrieks and cuts himself, but insensible to the pain; a beast who cannot be chained.
There had been unclean spirits behind them, and now another man filled with an unclean spirit in front of them. The Greek culture is no less infested with evil spirits than the Jewish culture.
And this man is unrestrained evil.
This storm on land cannot be bound any more easily than a storm at sea.
The people of the region are powerless against this madman. Their law is of no effect, for he has broken their shackles and is free of bondage to any man or law.
The disciples are helpless again, and are but spectators to the battle for peace against chaos.
How have things changed in their crossing over to the other side?
Next day