Wednesday 30 July 2008
- Bible Book:
- Mark
"With many such parables he spoke to them, as they were able to hear it: he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples." (v.33–34)
Background
Jesus is not the only great teacher to have used parables.Biblical prophets used parables, as did Greek philosophers andJewish rabbis.
Mark tells us that Jesus spoke as people "were able to hear". Inother words, Jesus did not speak above people's heads - he spoke tothem at their level of understanding. However, this does not meanthat there was no work involved on the part of the listener. He orshe still had to make the connection between the parable and thekingdom of God.
Mark lets us know that Jesus explained his parables in full to hisdisciples. What are we to glean from this? Clearly it was notenough to know Jesus' teachings alone - the disciples wanted toknow the man himself. In
So too must the true seeker of Christ's wisdom keep company withChrist himself.
To Ponder
How often do you seek Christ's company? Are youamong the crowd who left Jesus after hearing his teaching oramongst those who desired to linger with Jesus, to seek deeperunderstanding?
What do you make of the parable of the mustardseed? Can you apply it to any part of your own life orcommunity?