Reading: Mark 4-6
If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. And He said unto them, 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. For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath (Mark 4:23-25).
And the disciples came, and said unto Him, Why speakest Thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand (Matt. 13:10-13). Jesus often taught with parables, but He never intended to hide His lessons from those who genuinely sought to learn from Him. His message may have been encoded, but the key to unlocking it was ever-present in the Word of God and His day-to-day ministry.
Jesus was a patient teacher; He willingly answered questions from His followers when they had difficulty understanding the lesson. And with many such parables spake He the word unto them, as they were able to hear it. But without a parable spake He not unto them: and when they were alone, He expounded all things to His disciples (Mark 4:33-34). He knew that His teachings could not be fully absorbed in a day, week, or even a year. Jesus encouraged His disciples to trust Him to lead them down the right path and to embrace a lifetime of learning. He knew that complete understanding would not be possible until they were removed from this sinful world and stood before Him, cleansed and whole, in the kingdom of God. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known (I Cor. 13:12).
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. When a person enters a higher math class for the first time and sees this equation, sin α ± sin β = 2 sin 1/2(α±β) cos1/2(α±β), they might be tempted to turn around and run right back out. On first examination, it makes no sense, and if they sit there staring at it, repeating to themselves that it is confusing and makes no sense, then it never will. But if they listen to the lesson with an open mind and a willingness to learn, things start falling into place. It is the same in our relationship with God. We will never understand if we read His Word with a closed mind. This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart (Eph. 4:17-18). But if we approach with a desire to be taught, He will continuously increase our ability to learn.
But My people would not hearken to My voice; and Israel would none of Me. So I gave them up unto their own hearts’ lust: and they walked in their own counsels. Oh that My people had hearkened unto Me, and Israel had walked in My ways(Ps. 81:11-13)!
Thought For TodayIt is not a sign of failure if we first do not understand the meaning of His Word; it is only failure if we then cease to study it.
Cross Reference: For Mark 4:12: See Is. 6:9-10; Jer. 5:21; Ezek. 12:2.
Word Studies: 4:24 mete = measure out, give to others; 5:19 suffered him not = did not permit him.
Pray For Government Officials:Rep. Suzanne Bonanici (OR) • Country: Dominica (73,449) Caribbean • Major Language: English • Religious Freedom • 61.4% Catholic; 20.6% Protestant; 1.2% Jehovah Witness; 7.7% Other Christian; 1.3% Rastafarian; 1.6% Other/Unspecified; 6.1% None • Prayer Suggestion: Ask for understanding of the Word of God as you read each day (Ps. 119:34).