Mark 4

Jesus and His disciples are holding a time of teaching by the sea. This is the Sea of Galilee. Perhaps Jesus and His disciples used this large inland lake as a convenient way of travel. It was much quicker to criss-cross the Sea of Galilee than walk around it. This probably explains the location for this whole chapter.

The parable of the sower is probably one of the best known. Jesus seems to use this form of teaching from quite early on in His ministry. The question of why he uses this type of teaching is interesting. He seems to suggest that those who have open ears and hearts will perceive what these words are about. Otherwise those with closed minds and hearts will not get this meaning. One other idea behind the use of parables was that they are 'safe'. 

Taken word for word in a literal way there is nothing that sounds contentious. The parable of the sower is about a common agricultural scene repeated over and over again in first century Palestine. But there is nothing in the words used that would cause controversy. This covert teaching and those with eyes to see will see.

Jesus has just passed through a period of conflict with the religious authorities. They have failed to recognise what is happening in front of their eyes. Has Jesus made a decision that there will be two types to his life and it is now left to individuals to choose?

The parable of the mustard seed seems to give an answer. The Kingdom of God can grow from the smallest amount of faith and it will then flourish in each lives and in communities. The Kingdom of God is like a different country to which people of faith belong. It is a country of faith and hope. This great nation grows daily with more joining the reality of this new place of the spirit.

In the great storm at the end of the chapter the disciples are once more confused. 'What sort of person is this' they say 'that even the winds and waves obey Him?' They are still struggling to make sense of the person that they are following. They have seen Him heal, they have heard Him preach and yet they are still struggling with the reality of who Jesus is. This is the first miracle in nature in the gospel and quite different from the healing miracles. It does however point to the one reality of Jesus as the son of God.