Mark 4:1-2

Passage

Once more Jesus goes out to teach beside the sea.  Once more a very large crowd gathers around Jesus.  Jesus begins to teach the crowd in parables.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

As we begin this passage, it should be a fairly familiar story to us by now.  Jesus goes into His house or His synagogue and He meets with some persecution (From family or the Hebrew leaders).  The next thing that He does is go out into an open space (wilderness/beside the sea/etc).  A large crowd gathers around Him and He begins to teach.  Notice that the intimacy of the relationship isn’t particularly notable.  Jesus teaches about God regardless of who will listen.  Jesus teaches about God regardless of who will ultimately follow.  For Jesus, it is important to teach and let the people decide for themselves.

Do you think of Jesus as a great teacher?  Do you believe that Jesus calls you to follow Him?  If so, what should be your attitude about teaching?

Second Thought:

Jesus begins to teach in parables.  There are many different opinions about why Jesus taught in parables, and we’ll get to them in a few days.  However, we know that Jesus often taught in parables.  Yet, Jesus speaks in parables only at specific times and in specific instances.  This helps us understand that as Jesus teaches, He has a particular approach in different circumstances.

Does it make sense for Jesus to use different tactics during different circumstances?  If we are to follow Jesus, does this mean we need to be prepared to have multiple approaches in different circumstances?

Third Thought:

As we get ready to look at the parable tomorrow, consider the actual position of Jesus.  He is once more looking out to a large crowd.  Once more there are plenty of people wanting to listen to Him talk.  There are plenty of people who are willing to give Him a public position of popularity.

What would you be thinking if suddenly you had hundreds of people that wanted to be your friend?  What would you be thinking if you had hundreds of people wanting to hear you talk about certain issues?  Can you see how it would be easy for Jesus (or anyone else in His shoes) to get caught up in “being popular?”

Passage for Tomorrow: Mark 4:3-9