How are you enjoying 40 Days with Jesus, our reading plan for Lent? Slowing down and focusing on both Christ’s actions and His nature has been a true gift for me. I hope it has been for you, too! Today, we’re going to take a look at more actions of Jesus, demonstrated through His parables and prerogatives in Mark 4 – 6.

My study Bible divides this section of Scripture into these two main divisions: The Parables of Christ, and the Prerogatives of Christ. I think those titles are great! Let’s look at them together.

Mark 4

Mark chapter four contains sections from both division. It starts out with some parables and then moves on to some prerogatives of Christ.

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Parables

I love the parables! Like I mentioned to the DoNotDepart Facebook community, my father is a great storyteller, so maybe I associate a good story with fatherly love and instruction.  And stories from Jesus, the Master storyteller, are truly great stories! 

Here in Mark 4, Jesus teaches His audience through several parables. Now, the parables had a two-fold purpose. Fisrt, to explain truths to the spiritually open, and second, to obscure the meaning for those who lacked desire to receive the meaning. He knew that some listeners would “get it” and some would walk away still spiritually blind to the truths He was teaching.  (See Matthew 13:10-17 and Isaiah 6:9-10 to see how Jesus fulfilled prophecy in using the parables. Also, for a great study on the parables, consider the HelloMornings study, At My Savior’s Feet, authored in part by several of the DoNotDepart writers.)

Mark 4 presents us with several parables:

• First, the Parable of the Sower, which details the various reactions to hearing the Gospel.
• Next, the Parable of the Lamp, that reminds us that we bear Christ’s light and should let it shine out for His glory.
• Then, the Parable of the Growing Seed, shows us that personal spiritual growth is certain, but can be slow.
• Last, the Parable of the Mustard Seed, which tells of the rapid spread and growth of the Christian faith.

Prerogatives

Mark chapter 4 closes with Jesus and the disciples on a boat, enduring a storm. Most of us know the story. Jesus is sleeping peacefully aboard the ship while the disciples feared and fretted. When they awoke Jesus and asked Him if He cared, His reply was, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” (Mark 4:40)

His reply makes me pause in reflection. When storms of life lash out at me, do I trust the One who is resting in me? Or do I fear?

Jesus’ parables teach us great truths. We should pray for listening hearts and then pause to examine our faith. We can always trust that God is able to calm our biggest storms!

Mark 5

The prerogatives of Jesus stretch on from Mark 4 into chapters 5 and 6 (and further until Mark 9:1).  

In Mark 5, Jesus demonstrates that He has authority over demons and illness. Wow! We have a powerful Savior, and His actions show great love for mankind.

Look closely with me at Mark 5:19. After casting demons out of a man, Jesus tells him:

“Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” Mark 5:19 b

Yes! The Lord is so loving toward us and shows us such rich mercy. No matter how dire our situation, if we pray for spiritually open eyes, I am convinced that we can look and see God’s love and mercy. His actions are always something worth sharing!

Jesus doesn’t say much in this chapter of Mark, but the few words that are recorded are deep!

• He calls a woman suffering from a bleeding issue that leaves her unclean (Leviticus 15:25-27) and excluded from aspects of her community “daughter” and tells her to “Go in peace. Your faith has made you well.” (verse 34)
• Jesus tells Jairus to not be afraid, but to only believe. (Verse 36) After all, there are no limits to what God can do!
• And proving this fact of limitlessness, Jesus tells a dead girl to arise… and it happens! (Verse 41)
  
  Jesus has authority over all our circumstances, no matter how serious or grim! Nothing is too big for Him and His love is immense!

Mark 6

One of my favorite stories from the sixth chapter of Mark is the feeding of the 5,000.

I love that it all starts with Jesus asking the apostles (that had just returned from their commission in verses 7-13) to come away with Him to rest. (It’s so invitational, isn’t it? After hard and exciting work, spiritual rest was so needed!

Alexander Maclaren offers us some insight from his commentary regarding this:

“After any great effort, the body cries for repose, but still more does the soul’s health demand quiet after exciting and successful work for Christ. Without much solitary communion with Jesus, effort for Him tends to become mechanical…” (Emphasis, mine.)

This all reminds me that when we serve family, friends, the Body of Christ, or otherwise in our community, we need to come away with Jesus for rest. It’s important that we renew mentally, physically, and especially spiritually so that we can be renewed and then continue serving in His name.

In this story, the disciples really didn’t get much time alone with Jesus since the crowds beat them to the “desolate place.” But Jesus set the example for them with compassionate service, and for giving even when they were tired. What an excellent reminder that Jesus can use the efforts in our tired moments when we draw near to Him!

Jesus is abundantly able to do great things! His marvelous nature is displayed as He calls us to rest and then renews us. Yes, sometimes we’ll serve while we’re tired, but through His strength it can be done. He shows us His miracles of awesome ability and even healing.

What from these chapters stood out most to you? Share with us in the comments of in our Facebook community. 

Blessings!

Ali