When I was in high school in Paducah, KY, the local Christian radio show was quite desperate to fill a slot, and so they contacted me to see if I would share my testimony in a brief window on their program. So, I went down to the station, spoke briefly about how things would go, and then dove right into the program. And one of the things he told me that he wanted was to start the segment with a song that I had chosen, and then we’d begin with him introducing me, and I would share why I had chosen that song. And the song I chose was a song by Michael Card called, “God’s Own Fool.”
Now, the radio host mentioned that he was unfamiliar with the song but he would listen to it for the first time as we played it live over the air waves, and he was sure he’d like it since I loved the Lord, I could have chosen any song, and I was choosing this one. So, he pushes play and this song about Jesus begins, “Seems I’ve imagined him all of my life as the wisest of all of mankind, but if God’s holy wisdom is foolish to men, he must have seemed out of his mind.” Then, at another point it says, “So come lose your life for a carpenter’s son, for a madman who died for a dream, and you’ll have the faith his first followers had, and you’ll feel the weight of the beam.”
And I had my head down, thinking through what I wanted to say as the song played, so I didn’t see the reaction on his face when he heard the song, but I do remember him beginning the segment saying something like, “Now that’s an interesting song,” and asking me to explain why I had chosen it. And I should note that he never invited me back and I don’t remember hearing that particular Michael Card song played often on the radio.
What I do remember, though, is why I told him that I’d chosen that song. I don’t remember the particular words I said. But I know that I said something along the lines of the fact that I chose this song because it’s helpful to consider the difficulty Christ’s first followers must have faced and that Michael Card’s words might seem over the top, but they surely aren’t.
After all, consider what these early disciples were facing. Jesus had come walking by, called them, and they had left everything to follow him. They had thought he was from God, perhaps some of them already believed he was the Messiah, and they had their job, home, and family to follow him. If he indeed was the God-man, then how blessed were they? They were in the inner-circle of the Messiah.
Yet not everyone was responding as positively to him as they were. The individuals who were seen as the godliest, most learned in the Scriptures, and religious leaders of the day were saying they thought he was demon-possessed and was working by the power of the devil. And if they tried to comfort themselves by saying, “Well, they don’t really know him well,” then they would only have to admit that his own family members (who knew him pretty well) were trying to get him out of the public eye because they thought he was losing his mind. Surely this was not how his earliest followers thought things were going to go when they left their lucrative tax-collecting or fishing business and their families to follow Jesus of Nazareth. It’d be interesting to know if the disciples ever had conversations among themselves when they were away from Jesus asking, “Do you think there’s a chance he really is a madman?” After all, those who would seem most likely to follow him were thinking him crazy or demon-possessed.
So, it’s fitting for Mark, right after telling us that the religious leaders thought Jesus was demon-possessed and wanted to kill him and that his family thought he was mad, to include some teaching from Jesus at this point concerning why the arrival of God’s kingdom didn’t look exactly like they thought it would.
And the big thing was that the kingdom simply didn’t come in the form that everyone anticipated. In our text, Jesus refers to the “secret of the kingdom” in verse 11. Well, what is the secret of the kingdom? The secret of the kingdom seems to be that God’s kingdom was and is here. You see, the Old Testament had spoken of the day when God’s reign would be demonstrated over the whole earth. He would bring his reign or his kingdom in such a way that the wicked would be judged, the righteous would be vindicated, and the whole cursed earth where death reigns would be transformed so that it would be filled with fruit – that which would signal that life is reigning.
And the prevailing thought among those immersed in the Old Testament Scriptures was that no one would miss this day. God would put his king on the earth to make all things right, and he would reign forever and ever.
So the secret of the kingdom is that with the coming of Jesus of Nazareth, God’s kingdom was already here. It didn’t look particularly like anyone thought. The wicked were still walking around and many in power. The righteous were not vindicated and many suffered. There was still plenty of sin, sickness, and death. But it was here. God’s king had arrived. The kingdom had come in a somewhat hidden or secret form with the coming of Jesus. That’s the secret of the kingdom that Jesus was sharing with his followers.
And there are some lessons and implications that Jesus’ followers and we need to understand in light of this reality that the kingdom had come in a hidden or secret form. These lessons and implications are what Jesus teaches us in Mark 4:1-34. So, let’s take a look at them together this morning. The first of these is that . . .
One of the first things Jesus establishes in this chapter is that the announcement that God’s King has arrived (though in a secret, veiled, or hidden form) will bring about varied responses. Jesus shows his disciples this by giving them a parable in verses 1-9 and then explaining it in verses 13-20.
In verses 1-9 Jesus tells the people a parable about a sower who went out to sow some seed. Some of the seed fell on the path and the birds devoured it. Some fell on rocky soil, where the soil is very shallow and there’s a hard layer of rock underneath it, so though there was some growth from the seed, it didn’t last under the sun’s scorching heat, however, because there was no depth of soil. Some fell among thorns so that even though there was growth, it was soon choked out by the thorns. And, finally, some fell into good soil and grew and actually produced great grain, in varying amounts.
Jesus tells that story to illustrate this truth we’ve already seen, namely, that just as there are varied responses of lasting growth to a seed being thrown on the ground, so there are going to be varied responses by people when they hear the gospel of the kingdom.
But if we’re asking exactly what goes into these varied responses, Jesus tells us in verses 13-20. In these verses he tells us that the soil represents the heart of the people who hear the Word. Some are like that rocky path. They hear the Word proclaimed to them, but they are immediately hardened to it, and so just as the birds came and ate up the seed before it could produce anything, so also Satan comes and takes away the Word before it might produce life.
Others, represented by that shallow soil that gave growth but then quickly died out, will hear the gospel and respond joyfully. They might hear the gospel and emotionally declare that this is what they’ve been waiting for their whole lives. However, as soon as there’s difficulty or persecution, they fall away. It sounds good until holding to Christ costs them something, and then they no longer hold to Christ.
Still others will respond like that soil with the thorns. They’ll hear the gospel and profess faith, but soon their desires for other things will choke out their desire for Christ. It may be their desire for riches, or lustful pleasures, or just things that they believe will make them happy. But in the end, their desires for these things will push aside their desire for Christ.
And, finally, some will hear the Word, believe, and bear fruit. Perhaps there’ll be differing amounts of fruit, but there’ll be fruit – without exception. These are those who’ll really know life.
And this teaches us something, doesn’t it?
It reminds us, first, that it is only those who bear lasting fruit who actually give evidence that they have true faith in Christ. Many will profess faith upon hearing the gospel. Some might even have very emotional moments when they profess faith. But true, life-giving faith is not judged by how much joy one exhibits when he or she believes but whether there is enduring fruit and faith.
It reminds us as well to fight sin. When desire rises up within you to chase after things more than Christ, you should see that as an attack on your very soul and fight against it like sin is trying to pull you into hell. After all, it is only the one who holds fast to the faith who will show himself to have been a true believer.
It also reminds us that we have not necessarily failed when one believes, is baptizes, and then shows himself ultimately not to know Christ. Jesus told us this would happen. And, really, that brings us to the second lesson Jesus teaches in light of the secret of the kingdom:
Now, we might hear this idea that many will reject the gospel or initially claim to accept it while later finding something they think is worth more than Christ, and our reaction might be to think that somehow God has failed. However, Jesus tells us otherwise. In verses 10-12, we read, ‘And when he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables. And he said to them, ‘To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, so that “they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven.”’”
Jesus takes that quote in verse 12 from Isaiah 6:9-10 where the Lord tells Isaiah that his preaching will actually have a hardening effect on people so that though they will hear the message that could give them life, they’ll actually be hardened in their defiance as a sign of judgment.
Jesus is, thus, saying that the same thing is happening in his preaching. He is speaking in parables so that many will not understand. Part of the reason for parables is actually to conceal the truth. If one has faith, as Jesus’ followers, he will be given more understanding (as we see in verses 33-34), but to those who don’t, this will ensure that they remain blind to the light and deaf to the good news. Jesus is in control here.
So, it seems that the main point Mark (or Jesus) wants us to know is that people’s rejection isn’t outside of God’s control or plan. His purposes will not be thwarted.
Yet, if we know that the kingdom is here and yet not manifested in an overwhelming glorious way and that many (in fact most) will reject Christ’s kingship, then it does lead us to another reality, namely, that . . .
This, I think is the point of verses 21-25. Jesus first gives an illustration concerning a lamp. No one brings it into a room to hide it under something and hide its light. Well, in the same way, Jesus tells us that though the kingdom is secret and hidden now, it will be evident one day that Jesus Christ is the king over the earth. Jesus says, “For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light” (v. 22). Though many may mock the idea that Jesus Christ is the true king over all the earth, one day they will mock no more. One day what may be somewhat hidden now will be plain for all to see, and they will all bow the knee in acknowledgment that Jesus Christ is Lord.
So, what does that mean for us? It means that we need to be very careful now how we hear and respond to the gospel. Jesus goes on, “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear. And he said to them, ‘Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away’” (vv. 23-25).
Be careful how you hear. If you can understand the gospel, then you need to feel your desperation and bow the knee to Christ in faith. If you have a heart that is sensitive enough to recognize that Christ will one day judge the world in righteousness and that you’re holding on to sin or being pulled away by things you may desire more than him, then repent. Repent because you can. Repent because you have ears that are actually able to hear and understand what is being preached today.
If you’re blessed enough to hear the parables and say, “Wait a second. I’m like that seed that is being choked out by thorns,” then rejoice that you understand, that you hear, that you see, and repent and cling to Christ in faith. If you respond to what you hear now in faith, you will be given much more when the kingdom of God is manifest fully. But if you turn now, the condemnation you know as the Word hardens your heart is only a minor taste of the reality of condemnation that you will face. So, please, let us be careful how we hear this morning.
We might compare this to being told of a secret that could save your life. Imagine, for example, that our country was under attack by a devastating army. Everywhere they’d been they had crushed everyone and were ravaging the land. And they’re on their way here. And then someone calls a group of us to the side and says, “Don’t try to make good with the oncoming army because I want to let you in on a secret. There’s a more powerful army that’s forming that I’m giving you a chance to be a part of. I know it doesn’t look like it now. You don’t see some army marching against this powerful army. But believe me, it’s true. And though it doesn’t look like it now, we will be victors in the end. So, you can agree to join us now by faith, or you will suffer devastation if you align with the army you see conquering now.
In that scenario, no doubt some would just laugh, get up, and walk out of the room. Perhaps others would say, “Okay,” but then as they see the other army coming they would jump ship. And you must decide how you will hear, how you will respond to this news.
That’s where we are. But in this situation, it’s not just some person telling you news you can’t see. It’s the God-man, Jesus the Christ, who has told us that his kingdom is coming in all its glory. Respond in repentance and faith now, and you’ll only be tasting the surface of the blessing that will be yours. Or deny him, mock this kingdom, and you’ll be judged. We must be careful how we hear and respond in repentance and faith today, for Christ’s reign will not always be hidden in this world.
So, let’s recap a bit where we are. Christ’s reign is not clearly manifest now. We don’t yet see the full effects of his reign in this world. Therefore, there are going to be various responses to the gospel proclamation and the call to repent, give up everything, trust in him, and follow him as your king. Though many will reject him, that’s not outside of God’s control. And we, therefore, need to be very careful how we hear and respond because Christ’s reign will one day be evident to all.
That makes sense, doesn’t it? But it also might make us think that we are in a really depressing situation. So, many more will reject Christ than accept him? Yes, it seems so. We will go out and preach the Word, and many more will refuse to believe than believe? Yes, it seems so. And as they refuse to believe, it won’t be evident until the end of this age that Christ really is the king? Yes, that’s right. Then, is there encouraging news? Yes, there is. Jesus also reminds us in this chapter that . . .
Jesus ends with two parables. In the first, he tells us that the kingdom is like a man who scatters seed on the ground. That’s all he does. Then, he goes about life, getting up, sleeping, living his life. But something happens. That seed produces by a power within itself a full harvest.
Then, he tells another parable. He says that the kingdom can be compared to a mustard seed, which is the smallest of seeds. However, when it is planted and grows, it brings forth a bush so large that birds can nest in it.
What is his point in these stories? It seems to be that God is doing more than we can see with our eyes right now. It might seem like we’re proclaiming the word and nothing is happening. It might even seem like we’re preaching the gospel but the reign of death is this world is just too much. It may seem like we’re fighting a losing battle and that all we’re armed with is a message – a message that God the Son took on flesh, lived a perfect life, died for the sins of all who would believe in him, rose on the third day, ascended into heaven, and will justify anyone who repents and believes in him. That is all we have. So, we go about sowing that seed, as we proclaim the gospel.
But, brothers and sisters, God is doing more than we can see with our eyes. One day we will stand among a multitude in God’s kingdom, and it will be full of people from every tongue, tribe, people, and nation all over the face of the earth throughout all the years, and they will worship Christ as those who placed their faith in him and bowed their knee to him when they heard the gospel in this life. God is indeed doing more than we can imagine. We may not see how, and it may seem small, but God is spreading his kingdom.
In light of these truths, we should first give thanks that God has given us ears to hear, eyes to see, and hearts that will repent and believe. Paul tells the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 4:7 that what makes us different from others is simply what we’ve received from God. We have no right even to hear the gospel. We also could have been left in our unbelief. But God has graciously opened our eyes if indeed we believe. So, let us actually pause and give thanks to God for that today.
And let us also live our lives in light of what is coming. One day Christ will return to the earth in order to bring his kingdom in his fullest expression. We know that. Therefore, let us live our lives in light of that truth. Let’s pursue to know and love him more and more. Let us obey him, especially in taking the gospel all over this earth as he has commissioned us as our king. And let us repent this morning, if indeed we’ve been holding to sin, and let us rejoice that our king is gracious and just to forgive us. Let us remember his grace and proclaim that he is our king, even as we come to the table this morning. Amen.