Think of all the worries that might have kept Jesus awake. In Mark 4:26-32 we read two brief parables of growth of the Kingdom from the planted ‘seed’. With all these things to worry about, Jesus wasn’t worried. O LORD God of hosts, who is mighty like You, O LORD? Mark 4:1. 14 The sower sows the word. iv. Jesus didn’t say, “Wow, what a storm!” Instead, He asked, “Why is it that you have no faith?” The storm could not disturb Jesus, but the unbelief of His disciples disturbed Him. How is it that you have no faith? We know the story well. SHARES. He could have been clearer. Default. As well, Mark tells us other little boats were also with Him. iii. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. iv. If our Lord be asleep, he is asleep near the helm – he has only to put his hand out and steer the vessel at once. What one word, phrase, or idea stands out to you? This is unfortunate, since his works contain priceless … He is asleep, but he only sleeps until we cry more loudly to him. Your faithfulness surrounds You. The Parable of the Sower Explained. Short, Simple and Personal reflections on the daily Holy Mass Gospel. Again he began to teach beside the sea. He could worry about the overwhelming crowds with their overwhelming needs. Such a large crowd gathered around him that he got into a boat on the lake and sat there while the whole crowd was on the shore by the lake. He taught them many things by parables — After the usual manner of the eastern nations, to make his instructions more agreeable to them, and to impress them the more upon attentive hearers. Let’s read Mark 4:11-12, ... now God would give them over to judgment by preaching to them a message they couldn’t understand. 1. 7. Our website uses cookies to store user preferences. Mark 4:26-34 The Word of God Jesus said to the crowd, "The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. Click to enable/disable _ga - Google Analytics Cookie. The goal is the ripened grain. Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refuseing them will have impact how our site functions. It's just a method of scripture reflection. Commentary on Mark 1:4-11. Thank you for meditating on this Gospel reading and considering this reflection on Mark 4:1-20. It takes great faith to trust the sleeping Jesus, to know that He cares and works for us even when it does not seem like it. A sower went out to sow. He taught ‘many things’, but one stood out in particular, The Parable of the Sower. (Psalm 89:8-9). These are indicative of an agrarian, rural background, the intimate details of which increasingly few people in modern societies have any intimate familiarity. By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. THE CONTEXT. He became weary and sometimes caught a bit of sleep wherever He could. “He that hath ears to hear, let him … Reflection on Mark 4:35-41 Where do you find peace in the storm? They knew they were in jeopardy (Luke 8:23) but probably felt they knew what to do. Would Jesus put the same question to us? We need 2 cookies to store this setting. It tells the Parable of the Sower, with its explanation, and the parable of the Mustard Seed. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. Chapter 4. This, together with the disciples’ fear and what Jesus will encounter at His destination, give the sense that Satan had a significant hand in this storm. Mark 4 Pulpit Commentary. Jesus’ role as teacher is important in this Gospel. In Mark chapter 4, the evangelist spins a series of parables and narratives about seeds, planting, harvesting, and seafaring. ii. It was not their fear of the storm that made Jesus say they had no faith. Today he describes God’s kingdom in a unique way. The ‘seed’ is the word of God, the message of the Kingdom of God. 2. He could worry about the disciples He chose. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Check to enable permanent hiding of message bar and refuse all cookies if you do not opt in. In the span of a few moments, the disciples saw both the complete humanity of Jesus and the fullness of His deity. 2 He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching … It is not easy to discern or understands calls that are more subtle. Jesus is like the mother who sleeps through all kinds of racket, but at the slightest noise from her little baby, she instantly awakes. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer. Verse 1. And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, … c. Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him! This was a spiritual battle as much as a weather crisis. ii. Reflection on Mark 4:21-25 ~ When we know with certainty that Jesus is calling us, we say, “Yes Lord, your servant is listening.” Other times we are surprised when we suddenly realize we did not notice repeatedly being called. 26He said, “This is how it is with the kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to … But at the cry of His disciples He instantly awoke. Click to enable/disable _gid - Google Analytics Cookie. Mark 4 He preached in the same church as C. H. Spurgeon over one hundred years earlier. , because he knew what to do with the fear made all the difference battle as much as a crisis! H. 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