20160331 Thursday, March 31 2016
Mark 04: The Earthy Parables

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the Word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred"

"Earthy" is defined as "Not far removed from, or suggestive of, nature; Consisting of, or resembling, Earth" (The WordWeb Dictionary from Princeton University).

Humans were created from the Earth (see The Thinker From The Soil and Adam and Adamah). So too, humans eventually return to the Earth, to await their resurrection (see The Postponement Of Death and Life From The Dust - Past And Future).

The Messiah often used "Earthy" parables (see What Does Earth Mean?), not merely to explain the parable (see the Fact Finder question below), but also to remind those who were listening that they were of the Earth. Like houses that are made from the plants (e.g. wood from trees) and minerals (from which cement and bricks are made) of the Earth, humans themselves live in "tabernacles" made and sustained from the plants and minerals of the Earth (see The Biology Of The Resurrection).

The parable of the sower:

"4:1 And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land. 4:2 And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine, 4:3 Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: 4:4 And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. 4:5 And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: 4:6 But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. 4:7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. 4:8 And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.

4:9 And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

4:10 And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.

4:11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: 4:12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them." (Mark 4:1-12 KJV)

The parables of the Messiah were spoken - and then explained to those who could, and would, listen (see the Fact Finder question below).

"4:13 And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?

4:14 The sower soweth the word. 4:15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

4:16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 4:17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.

4:18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, 4:19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

4:20 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred." (Mark 4:13-20 KJV)

A candle that is covered with a light-blocking shroud not only fails to shine outward, it dies from blocking light-giving oxygen from getting in - it is snuffed out. So too, the Holy Spirit must openly shine from those who have it - or it will be cut off, along with the one who failed to use it (see Why Can't Light Be Hidden?).

"4:21 And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick? 4:22 For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. 4:23 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

4:24 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. 4:25 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 4:21-25 KJV)

Physical laws and spiritual laws are based upon the same Holy Spirit of Creation (see The Spirit Of Creation). It's the reason too that salvation is described as a harvest (see The Harvests Of Salvation and Let Both Grow Together Until The Harvest).

"4:26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; 4:27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. 4:28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.

4:29 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come." (Mark 4:26-29 KJV)

The Kingdom of God will be everywhere on Earth (see What Gospel Did Jesus Preach?). There will be no place for man's rebellious kingdoms of war and strife (see The Patriotism Prophecy and The First And Last Nation).

"4:30 And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? 4:31 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: 4:32 But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.

4:33 And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it. 4:34 But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples." (Mark 4:30-34 KJV)

The Messiah, as the LORD God (see The Identity Of The LORD God and The LORD God Our Saviour) incarnate, had the Holy Spirit far greater than any other human - but, during His human lifetime, far less than all of the other children of God will have when they are truly "born again" (see What Was The Lesson Of John 3:16?).

"4:35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. 4:36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. 4:37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 4:38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

4:39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

4:40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

4:41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" (Mark 4:35-41 KJV)

Fact Finder: What is a "parable"? Why did the Messiah use parables?
See The Meaning Of Parables