Mark 4:30-41       

Many Parables Mark 4:33 -34 NKJV

  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.

Why Parables?

Basically, so that spiritual people would be taught in a way that the truth taught would always afterwards be remembered. At the same time people with no spiritual interest would  not make head or tail of them

And Jesus said unto them, “Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: that seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.”

When explained parables can be the clearest illustration of truth. A parable, to the carnal veils the truth, but to the receptive reveals the truth, not all at once but in a progressive manner. In the book of Proverbs we read, “But the path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day. 19 The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.” NKJV (Prov 4:18 ). They were a penalty or a blessing according to the hearer's state: a darkening to those who loved darkness; enshrining the truth concerning Messiah's spiritual kingdom, so different from Jewish expectations so that the scoffer might jeer but there might be, and something to stimulate the careless to think over later. On the other hand, parables enlightened the diligent seeker, who asks what means this parable? He or she is led so to “understand all parables” and at last to need no longer this mode but to have all truth revealed plainly. The truths, when afterward explained first by Jesus, then by His Spirit, would be more definitely and indelibly engraved on their memories. It signifies a fictitious narrative which conveys truth in a more engaging form than that of direct assertion.

Mark 4:21 -34 The Parable of the Mustard Seed

The work of grace may start small but comes to be great and large at last. “Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God , as now to be set up by the Messiah? How can I make you understand the design and method of the Kingdom of God ?” Our Lord speaks as one considering and asking Himself, how to best illustrate it. With what comparison shall we compare it? He is borrows a comparison from this earth; it is like a grain of mustard-seed; he had compared it before to seed sown, here to that specific seed.

By that He reveals to them:

1. That the beginnings of the gospel kingdom would be very small, like that which is one of the least of all seeds.

When a Christian church was sown in the earth for God, it was all contained in one room, and the number of the names was just one hundred and twenty (Acts 1:15 ), as when the children of Israel , went down into Egypt , they were just seventy souls. The work of grace in the soul is, at first, a day of small things; a cloud no bigger than a man's hand but there was never such great things undertaken by such an insignificant handful, as that of the discipling of the nations by the ministry of the apostles. It is a work that will end in great glory.

2. That the perfection of it will be very great.

  When it grows up, it becomes greater than all herbs. The gospel shall increase and spread to the remotest nations of the earth, and shall continue to the latest ages of time. The church has sent out great branches, strong ones, spreading far, and bearing much fruit. The work of grace in the soul has mighty effects, now while it is still growing; but think what it will be, when it is perfected in heaven? The difference between a grain of mustard seed and a great tree is nothing to the difference between a young convert on earth and a glorified saint in heaven.

Mark 4:35-41

Jesus then demonstrates that He has the power to bring about the things that He has been teaching.

That day he had preached out of a ship, and when it was evening He himself proposed putting to sea at night, so that He would not lose any time. He wants to get over to the other side because he has work to do there. Christ went about doing good, and nothing would be allowed to hold Him up.l.

They did not put to sea, till they had sent away the multitude, after giving to each of them that for which they came. He answered all their requests; He sent none home complaining that they had met Him in vain. They all left after receiving a solemn blessing; for Christ came into the world, not only to pronounce, but to command, and to give, blessing.

  They took him even as he was, that is, in the same dress that he was in when he preached. They did not pack a case or even put in their waterproofs. They put out into the Sea just as they were.

A tremendous storm blew up. A storm so great, that the ship filled up with water brought by the rain blown in by the wind and by the waves the waves that beat into it.

There were other little ships with him, which, no doubt, shared in the distress and danger. Probably, these little ships carried those who wanted to go along with Christ, for the benefit of his preaching and miracles on the other side. The multitude went away when he put to sea, but there were some, who would venture upon the water with him. Those who follow the Lamb should follow him wherever he goes. Those that hope for happiness in Christ must be willing to go with him wherever He goes and run the same risks that He runs. We may boldly and cheerfully put to sea in Christ's company, even though we see a storm ahead.

During this storm Christ was asleep and here we are told that He was in the hinder part of the ship, the pilot's place He lay at the helm and had a pillow there. He slept, to try the faith of his disciples and to stir them up to pray. When tried their faith appeared weak. Sometimes when the church is in a storm, Christ seems as if He is asleep, unconcerned at the troubles of his people, and regardless of their prayers. He appears to be a God who hides himself, Isa 45:15. But when he sleeps he is not asleep. Behold He that keepeth   Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep (Ps 121:3-4); he slept, but his heart was awake.

His disciples encouraged themselves with His presence, and thought the best way to improve the situation was to ply the oar of prayer rather than their own oars. Their confidence lay in this, that they had their Master with them; and the ship that has Christ in it, though it may be tossed, cannot sink. They awoke Christ. But for the necessity of the case they would not have stirred up or awoke their Master but they knew he would forgive them if this was wrong. When Christ seems as if He is sleeping in a storm, he is easily awakened by the prayers of his people. Though we may be at our wits' end, we should not be at our faith's end, while we have such a Saviour to whom we can turn. Their prayer to Christ is expressed very emphatically; Master, carest thou not that we perish? This sounds rather harsh. It sounds more like blaming him for sleeping rather than begging him to wake up. There may be no excuse for it, but the the freedom he allowed them; because of their distress and the fright they were in. They do Christ a deal of wrong, who suspect him to be careless of his people in distress. That is not so; He is not willing that any should perish, much less any of his little ones, Matt 18:14 .

  The word of command with which Christ rebuked the storm, Peace, be still means be silent, be dumb. The wind may no longer roar, nor the sea rage.

  A word of comfort to us, that, even if the storm of trouble is ever so loud, ever so strong, Jesus Christ can end it with a word. When there are fightings on the outside, and there are fears within, and our spirits are in a tumult, Christ can create peace. If he say, Peace, be still, there is immediately a great calm.

It is spoken of as God's prerogative to command the seas, Jer 31:35. By this therefore Christ proves himself to be God. He that made the seas, can make them quiet.

 The reproof Christ gave them for their fears, Why are ye so fearful? Though there may be cause for some fear, yet not for fear to such a degree as this. How is it that ye have no faith? Not that the disciples were without faith. No, they believed that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; but at this time their fears prevailed so that they seemed to have no faith at all. “How is it, that in this matter you have no faith? Did you think I would not come in with the relief you needed?”

  The result was they feared greatly. They feared a great fear; so the original reads it. When they feared the winds and the seas, it was for want of the reverence they ought to have had for Christ. But now that they had seen a demonstration of His power, they feared the elements less and Him more. They feared in case they had offended Christ by their unbelieving fears. They  therefore worked now at giving Him the honour that was His due. They had feared the power and wrath of the Creator in the storm, but now they feared the power and grace of the Redeemer in the calm. They feared the Lord and his goodness, and by it they gave glory to Christ. They   said, “What manner of man is this?” Surely more than a man, for even the winds and the seas obey him.

  Jesus is alive today. He can rescue you when the waves threaten to overwhelm you. With the fear of the Lord is in your heart you will fear no other. Whatever storms are threatening you today, with Christ in the vessel you can smile at every storm. Invite the Lord into your heart today. Ask Him to forgive your sins and save you from whatever storm is threatening you today. He has promised that if you will open your heart to Him He WILL come in. If you want to know more or if I can help in some way contact me through the links on the website.