Sunday 17 June 2018

Psalm: Psalm 92

Background

Today’s passage contains two characteristic elements of Jesus’ teaching: the kingdom of God and parables. The first is an enigmatic term that Jesus often uses in the Gospels. Indeed, he began his public ministry in Mark by proclaiming that “the kingdom of God has come near” (Mark 1:15). We might understand it as meaning something like ‘the place ruled by God’. However, this kingdom is not limited in time or space, like earthly realms, and is a concept that we may never understand fully: it is a mystery or “secret” (Mark 4:11).

In describing this enigmatic concept, Jesus used an enigmatic way of speaking – parables. As verses 33-34 remind us, Jesus used them so often that they became intimately connected with his ministry. We need to be aware, though, that these are not just simple stories for children with a single meaning. They are metaphors, proverbs, riddles and much more. Parables are meant to challenge and change their listeners.

These two parables here both use horticultural metaphors, following on from the parable of the sower, which Jesus has just related and explained (Mark 4:1-20). The first (verses 26-29) is a rare example of verses that are unique to Mark’s Gospel. Matthew and Luke chose not to incorporate them into their Gospels (as they did with around 97% of Mark’s narrative). Like many parables, it contains someone acting slightly oddly. In this case, a farmer who simply sows his seeds and then lets them grow without any further involvement. The second (verses 30-32), which by contrast we find in all three Gospels, again refers to seeds. This time it is the seeds of the black mustard plant (Brassica nigra), which can grow up to three metres tall but whose seeds are tiny (approximately 700 to a gram).

These parables, along with most of Mark chapter 4, form part of the first major block of teaching in this Gospel (ie what Jesus said rather than did). In part, they may be a reflection on why Jesus’ message had not been fully understood or accepted by many.

To Ponder

• Why do you think Mark’s Gospel records the parable of the growing seed (verses 26-29), while Matthew and Luke did not?
• What might these two parables have to say to us today when we think about evangelism, mission and outreach?
• How do you understand the words “as they were able to hear it” in today’s passage (v. 33)?