Mark wrote how Jesus told His disciples, “the kingdom of God” is, “as if a man should cast seed into the ground. And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knows not how. For the earth brings forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest is come. And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth. But when it is sown, it grows up, and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it. And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it”, and in chapter four and verse thirty-four of his book, Mark shares how Jesus, “without a parable spake he not unto them” where we read:
But without a parable spake he not unto them:
and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.
The verse reads, “But without a parable spake he not unto them:” Mark began with the words, “but without a parable” or “nevertheless, moreover and separate and apart from an earthly story with a heavenly meaning” “spake he not” which means “Jesus did not talk, speak, preach or utter any words” “unto them” which refers to “to the crowds of people who surrounded Jesus”. Mark shared how Jesus only spoke to the people who surrounded Him with “parables”.
The verse continues, “and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.” Mark added the words, “and when” which means “and at the time and moment” “they were alone” or “the disciples and Jesus were by themselves and separated from the crowds”, “he expounded all things” or “Jesus cleared up, settled and explained each, every, the whole and everyone of the parables” “to his disciples” which means “to Jesus' students, pupils and attendants”. Mark shared how Jesus revealed what His “parables” meant to His disciples when they by themselves.
When we meditate upon Mark's words in this verse, we see how Jesus was selective and secretive concerning principles of the Kingdom of God. Those who were His “disciples” were given the privilege of hearing Him explain His stories, but those who were not His disciples were not. God reveals Himself to those who take the first step by believing and trusting in His Son Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord”. Afterward, He will continually reveal and explain principles of God's Kingdom to all who will be attentive to His words.
Next time Mark shares how Jesus said, “let us pass over unto the other side”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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