Scripture: Mark 4: 21-34 (CEB)
Parables about lamps and measures
21 Jesus said to them, “Does anyone bring in a lamp in order to put it under a basket or a bed? Shouldn’t it be placed on a lampstand? 22 Everything hidden will be revealed, and everything secret will come out into the open. 23 Whoever has ears to listen should pay attention!”
24 He said to them, “Listen carefully! God will evaluate you with the same standard you use to evaluate others. Indeed, you will receive even more. 25 Those who have will receive more, but as for those who don’t have, even what they don’t have will be taken away from them.”
More parables about God’s kingdom
26 Then Jesus said, “This is what God’s kingdom is like. It’s as though someone scatters seed on the ground, 27 then sleeps and wakes night and day. The seed sprouts and grows, but the farmer doesn’t know how. 28 The earth produces crops all by itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full head of grain. 29 Whenever the crop is ready, the farmer goes out to cut the grain because it’s harvesttime.”
30 He continued, “What’s a good image for God’s kingdom? What parable can I use to explain it? 31 Consider a mustard seed. When scattered on the ground, it’s the smallest of all the seeds on the earth; 32 but when it’s planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all vegetable plants. It produces such large branches that the birds in the sky are able to nest in its shade.”
33 With many such parables he continued to give them the word, as much as they were able to hear. 34 He spoke to them only in parables, then explained everything to his disciples when he was alone with them.
What does this passage mean to me/us?
Contributed by Heather Anderson
In parenting, trying to help my children understand and learn from a given experience or situation is not always easy. It is difficult sometimes to help them grasp the lesson or concept. When I view this learning opportunity through their “lenses” as children, it becomes apparent I need to speak with terms and ideas they can relate to. Jesus exemplifies this when he teaches through parables. The scripture verses of Mark 4: 21-34 include several parables Jesus is sharing to help his listeners and disciples learn more about God and his kingdom. I really admire Jesus for his teaching abilities and what he is trying to accomplish. His love speaks through his words. Sometimes when spending time with scripture, I try to put myself back in the first century and experience what it would have felt like to hear Jesus speak of things I already related to but in brand new ways. Jesus loved; wanted to shepherd and nurture. I see His words continue to serve in this way today and for the phase of life I am in, I am grateful to be able to use Jesus and his methods as a means of guidance in parenting too.
Prayer
Dear Lord, Thank you Lord for all the ways you reach, teach and shepherd us so we can grow and mature as believers in any phase of life. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen,
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