Jason is going through the gospel of Mark and it has so many treasures. We started going through the parables two weeks ago. One of the themes of the parables that has always interested me in a big way with little reward, is Jesus making sure that his stories confuse the audience. The disciples, when they initially hear any parable, take it just as the rest of the crowd; they have no idea what Jesus is talking about! But what the disciples have is Jesus to explain the meaning when the doors are closed and the crowds have dispersed. Why? Why? Why? That is the main question that tugs my heart and mind as I read the parables. Jesus' intentions are the baffling thing. The Word spoken, brings confusion and darkness. It is not His intention to bring peace. At least not yet.....
Mark is meant to be gone through again and again. It is layered and with each going through, you gain tools that give you the ability to see what God is doing. The ending makes the beginning make sense. Wisdom is gained by coming again and again to the Words of God, loving and desiring those words, and applying them as you go. This process never ends. With each new acquisition, you find new ways to apply God's word.
The parables continue to unfold as you read the book of Acts and head into the epistles. Peter, John, Paul, all see way more clearly post-pentecost. History is like the book of Mark-there are layers and layers that expound and testify to the wisdom of the parables.
The big application for in the parables is to seek wisdom diligently, remember her always and let her be the guide as we walk. Be the good soil. Remember that when your story takes a turn into a dark alley, that God has new life on the other side. Walk in faith, recalling Jesus' own journey, Israels journey, your journey. Be emboldened to stay strong in times of persecution because your story is wrapped up in Jesus' story and will end the same as His. His promise is sure. No man or spirit can robe you of your inheritance.
Not yet.....we go from glory to glory. Jesus came to save the whole world. He will save the whole world. He is saving the whole world. The not yet of the parables, the darkness and confusing tone of the parables is being undone as far as the curse is found.
One of the amazing things to me in all of this, is how Jesus never set out to make everything super clear all at once. He is the way to understanding not the instant download to wisdom. To say it is all a process is super cliche but it is as close to the truth as you get when you look at how God works. We go from glory to glory. It is a process. Wisdom is acquired. Once you have found her, you never cease finding her.
The parables not only show us important principles, the point to the very character of God and His ways. God unfolds the deeps to us. He does this through time. His infinite ways are disclosed to us in waves of goodness that span our earthly lives and continue on into the next life.
So as we make sure that we are the right type of soil and remember that all seeds must be crushed and buried in death to grow, we remember that parables in themselves, their shape and form, their confusing nature and depth, point to our good God who is wisdom. He is never ending. He is over all things. His word can be searched again and again and there is always treasure to be found. The parables are meant to be searched. They are meant to turn us into the wisdom seekers that God has made us to be! So get out the word and start the search, or continue searching. And as you walk away from it, remember to keep it close and to bind it on your heart and mind!
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