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Fiction Has an Impact

Jesus Tells a Story

Read Mark 4:1 – 9.  Jesus has already made some statements that were parable-like. But his is his first, full-on parable—and one of the few that he explains (read 4:13 – 20).  The story is bracketed by two commands: “Listen” (v. 3 & 9). The parable itself, in many ways, is about listening.  Note the elements of the parable, and explanation:

An Exclusive Club?

Read Mark 4:10 – 12.  This “mystery” or “secret” is something made known only by God.  R.T. France writes, “It will become increasingly clear that the message of the Kingdom of God is something so paradoxical, so totally opposed to natural human insight, that it takes nothing less than divine revelation to enable people to grasp it.”

A literal translation of v. 11 reads: “The secret of the Kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those outside, everything comes in parables.”  It’s not just the teachings that have mystery. For the outsiders, everything Jesus does is going to be confusing.  Who, then, are the outsiders, and why are they outside?  Note the context of the statement:

• Severe unbelief—including his family

• 3:28 – 29: the Unforgivable Sin

• Every parable comes on the heels of conflict and rejection. These are people who have already rejected Jesus.

Is it permanent?  Not necessarily.  Jesus has rejected his family, but later they become leaders in the Church. Jesus’ rejection of his family lasts only so long as they reject him.  Remember also the Unforgivable Sin discussed last week.  Rejection of Christ and his work is a de facto rejection of Christ’s salvation.

Read also vv. 21 – 25.  Notice what Jesus says:

• Vv. 21 – 22 imply the light given to others is for a purpose.

• Vv. 23: “Listen” here is a command

• Vv. 24 – 25 Jesus implores them to listen and try to understand

William L. Lane writes: “It indicates that they are excluded from the opportunity of being further instructed in the secret of the Kingdom so long as unbelief continues.”

Isaiah 6:8 – 10 may also provide some insight.  Have you ever tried to warn someone of something, and the more you warn them, the more stubborn they become?  Isaiah here is called to preach a message which he and God both know will be very unpopular.  They could have chosen a different message, perhaps one more affirming—but would fail to address the problem, and save the people.  So instead, Isaiah must preach a message that, in the words of John Oswalt, “will only push them farther away from God.”  But the hope, Oswalt suggests, is that some will hear that message.  All will not be lost; there will be a few who hear that important, vital message.  “Then real healing will result, and the stage will be set for the promised Messiah to come. So Isaiah’s calling is not to success as the world counts success, but to faithfulness.”

Conclusion

One wonders if part of what may be happening here is that just about anyone can get behind miracles and healing, especially if they’re free of charge. We tend to be pretty happy with a faith that gives, and expects nothing in return—or a faith that gives, and affirms our worldview.  But now Jesus starts teaching, and those teachings are going to do one of two things:

• They’re going to start telling people that God has certain expectations. You have to live it.

• They’re going to challenge the worldview of people. We’ve already seen this with the Pharisees.

Note a similar instance found in John 6:60 and 66.  Jesus says something particularly challenging, and we find the following:

On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”… From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.
 

Next week, Jesus’ teachings continue, with a return to the Kingdom of God discussion.  See you then!
 

In Christ,

--Pastor Dan