Casting Seed

2011-03-19

This section of the Bible can be divided into three main sections: the parable of the growing seed, the parable of the mustard seed, and when Jesus calms the storm and the sea.

The Growing Seed: Mark 4:26-29

This particular parable, like other parables told around this time (such as the parable of the soils, and of the wheat and tares), is agricultural in nature, and I have not planted a single thing in my life. I do not think, however, that this is the (main) reason why I am not certain of my interpretation. Because there were parables similar to this one written in the Bible (especially the one in Mark 4:1-20), it would be tempting to read the explanation of the soils parable into this one. I do not feel comfortable doing that. Though Mark’s version of the soils does not define who the sower (in the parable of the sower) represents, Matthew 13:37 says this represents the Son of Man, namely Jesus. The growing seed parable states that the man who cast the seed into the ground “knoweth not how” it grows. I assuredly say to you that Jesus knows how the seed grows! So this is someone else, and I believe it is any person who has believed on Jesus Christ.

I would suggest that the seed is still the Word, as in the previous parable. The reason being is that the Word is what causes growth in anything spiritual. We know from Romans 10:17 that “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Furthermore, we know this from the verses immediately preceding this parable (I firmly believe you need to read 4:21-25 to understand this parable). Jesus just challenged his listeners that he was keeping nothing secret from them, and therefore, to listen to his words (Mark 4:21-23). He also just said to be careful how you hear, and the more you put into trying to understand his word, the more you will get out of it, for the Bible reads in verse 24: “Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.”

So this implication of this parable is that the Word is very potent and causes growth; it has astounding power. If we plant the Word in our lives and in the lives of others, it will have returns: saved people, love of the brethren, greater spiritual understanding and salt and light living. We do not know how it works. But given the necessary time and cultivation, we shall see those returns, and when it is fully grown, we will be left in awe of the results.

Questions

Who is the man? What is the seed? Why? How do we know?

What is the fruit and harvest in verse 29? How do we know?

If this parable is suggestive of the potency of the Word, what ought we be doing?

The Mustard Seed: Mark 4:30-32

The kingdom of God is literally likened unto the grain of a mustard seed in verse 31. We know from the passage that this type of seed is much smaller than other seeds. This is very reminiscent of John 12:24, where Jesus, speaking of his death, said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” The origin of the kingdom of God is none other than Jesus Christ, his death, and his resurrection. Jesus’ coming to earth would have been rather inconsequential, forgotten in the sands of time, if it were not for these great events. Within a few short years, Christians were everywhere, from Jerusalem, Samaria, and even as far as Greece and Rome. The kingdom of God was greater like the mustard seed because there was neither revolution nor conquest; it was by the power of God. No empire or religious dogma can claim the same. Because of the humble beginnings of our faith, and of Jesus Christ, we know that the gospel of the kingdom is of no mean power. We know our faith is the real deal.

As for the branches and the birds they overshadow, it is unreasonable to say that these birds are likened unto an evil force as in the previous parable (4:15). I would suggest that the kingdom of God, by nature, is a haven. Despite any persecution we may face, we can know that Jesus Christ is the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls (1 Peter 2:25), and has promised to always be with us, “even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20). The church, in which the Spirit dwells, is often how Jesus accomplishes this.

Why Parables? Mark 4:33-34

Jesus spoke parables only to the public while teaching according to 4:33 for those who could hear them. In 4:34, we see that Jesus explained everything to his disciples. Those who wanted to follow Jesus got the most understanding out of the parables. The people who left everything for him got the front row seats to hear his wonderful words. What does this tell us? We need to follow and spend time with Jesus Christ in order for us to learn the deep spiritual truths of the Bible, and to live them out in our lives.

Questions

What is the seed? What is the significance of the branches? Of the birds?

What is the significance of the small and humble origin of the kingdom of God?

What does this humble origin of our faith say about our faith?

Why did Jesus teach in parables? To whom did he explain them? What does this mean for us?

The Storm and the Sea are Stilled: Mark 4:35-41

A popular narrative in the Bible is Jesus calming the storm and the sea. The first thing I would like to point out is that it was Jesus’ idea to cross the sea (4:35). We know that the “them” in verse 35 is referring to his disciples (4:34). I would feel safe to say that at least a few of the disciples that were fisherman (especially Peter) was with him (other ships crossed with them, 4:36). The storm was powerful enough to frighten these professional fishermen, who were very familiar with navigating the sea. The boat was full of water (4:37). Jesus was fast asleep, but he was awakened with their accusatory cry that he did not care about them all perishing. Rebuking the wind and sea, Jesus commanded a great calm. Jesus then rebuked them for not having faith.

Jesus’ rebuke tells us something about the people in the boat with him. These people awoke him not to elicit help, but to chide him. But Jesus, who is God in the flesh, has complete control over all of the elements of the world, so their faith was not only weak, it was misdirected. After the storm had calmed, they asked in verse 4:41: “And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” Exactly... what manner of man. Now Jesus became a man, but he is far more than a man, and that is what they were beginning to figure out.

Now this narrative is very suggestive of the prayer life and faith of many, including my own. We finally get to a point where we know there is nothing short of God that is able to rescue us from a situation, and then we turn around and accuse him of the circumstances into which he had led us (though many times it is our fault). Coming to God is a last resort, but we are repeatedly surprised as to how he leads us when we finally call upon him. Perhaps the disciples should have wakened him earlier, provided they had a proper understanding of who Jesus is. But we have no excuse; we know who Jesus is, and we need to go to him in faith before the storm. He wants us to do so.

Read more on Jesus calming the storm here.

Questions

Whose idea was it to cross the sea?

Why do you think they waited for the boat to be filled with water before they woke Jesus up?

Was Jesus’ rebuke harsh in verse 40, or appropriate, and why?

What does the disciples’ question in verse 41 suggest about them?

So what manner of man is Jesus?