Mark 4:21-34
Introduction
This passage comes in two parts. In the first part, Jesus talks about the lamp being on a lampstand and what that means for us and the world. In the second part, Jesus uses two parables to teach us about the Kingdom of God.
Bear this in mind as we make our way through it.
Verse 21
Most translations of the Bible make a significant error in this verse in relation to the word ‘lamp’. In the original Greek there is a definite article before the word, ‘lamp’. Instead of ‘a’ lamp, it should say. ‘the’ lamp. Without the definite article we cannot understand what Jesus is saying in this passage.
In this verse The Lamp is Jesus. Remember what Jesus said about Himself in John 8:12:
Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of Life.”
Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world”. So, Jesus is saying in verse 21 that He has not come into the world to be hidden or concealed. He is to be put on a lampstand; to be lifted up to a place of prominence. Jesus needs to be put on a lampstand so that He can bring light to all those who are in darkness. Sinners/unbelievers are in darkness.
The light that comes from Jesus is the truth of God and in this verse that light should not be hidden or obscured.
Verse 22
Jesus is saying in this verse that He will expose the hidden and secret things of this world. The world and those who are part of it, like the darkness and like to keep things hidden. The darkness is sin and evil and those involved in it don’t like to admit it and have it exposed. But Jesus has promised that it will be brought to light.
Verses 23 to 25
In verse 23, Jesus is telling us that what He is saying is very important as we shall see.
In verses 24 and 25 Jesus is talking about what we do with the Lamp. Do we cover up the Lamp with a basket or put it on a lampstand? In other words, do we proclaim the truth or keep it hidden. He is also saying that the more we speak the truth the more truth we will receive. And the less we speak the truth the less truth we will be given to understand.
I believe that there are a number of practical implications from this for us today:
1. The more we proclaim the truth the more that God will reveal to us.
2. The more we proclaim the truth the more we will able to distinguish between truth and lies.
3. The more we proclaim the truth the more we will be able to see into the dark and hidden places.
4. The more we suppress the truth the less God will reveal to us.
5. The more we suppress the truth the less we will be able to distinguish between the truth and lies.
6. The more we suppress the truth the less we will be able to see into the dark and hidden places.
Verses 26 to 29
Now we come to the first of two parables about the Kingdom of God. This one is about the seed growing.
The man who sows the seed in this instance represents you and I. Let me show you what I mean. Remember what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 3:6.
‘I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth.’
The seed in this parable represents the word of God. We saw this in the Parable of the Sower. The seed is the word of God that we speak to believers and unbelievers alike. Once the seed has been sown, we have no control over what happens to it. As the parable tells us, the growth of the seed is hidden from us. It is God who takes care of the growth. And that growth can take a long time to reach full maturity.
The practical implication of this teaching for us is that we are to speak the word of God to people and leave the outcome to God. After we have sown a seed, we may never see the harvest.
Verses 30 to 34
This is the second parable about the Kingdom of God.
Through this parable, Jesus is saying that the Church will grow in size over time. It starts off extremely small like a mustard seed and grows into a large bush or tree. The Church started with Jesus and 12 Apostles and now it extends across the whole world.
In the parable, the mustard see represents the word of God. So, Jesus is telling us that it is the word of God that causes the true growth of the Church. This is true for a local church and it is true for us as individuals. No other scheme or idea will work in the end. For instance, one of the common errors made by churches is to try to be like the world around them.
So, what does this parable mean for us? It tells us that God can take our little effort and turn it into something big. Don’t think that what you’re doing is insignificant. Your tiny mustard seed can grow into a big tree.