Mark 4

Posted on Feb 14, 2017 in Bible (NT) in a Year |

Tuesday

Today’s reading centers around Jesus in his role of teacher.

Jesus loves to use illustrations and visual aids to get his point across. Of course, he is speaking to people who understood farming. In our rural area of Pennsylvania, this parable of the seeds is easily understood, because most of us have either been farmers or grown up around farming. We know what good soil looks like verses, rocky or weedy soil, and we also know where the seeds will grow the best. So for us and the people Jesus was teaching, the visual effect helps the student to better understand and so better remember the lesson taught. We know these as object lessons and quite often we will see Jesus demonstrating what he was teaching in this way. He also liked to use, questions and answers. When someone is trying to teach us something, this is also a good way for one to remember the lesson.

So maybe you’ve wondered what a parable is and what purpose it serves. Well, one thing for certain is to convey information or understanding and the outcome is that a person learns a spiritual truth. Jesus also used parables to help stimulate and shape our actions. Because of this lesson, we will no longer do something in the same way. Like hearing the Word and letting it take root in our lives. Parables will also influence our emotions and our attitudes.

So Jesus used parables to get His followers to think, to encourage them to take this knowledge and apply it in their lives and because they were object lessons, hopefully, every time they see that object it will help them to remember the lesson.

Do you think the disciples ever walked passed a fig tree without remembering what Jesus said? (Mark 11).

I am a visual learner and a hands on learner, so for me, I love the parables and the lessons they teach.

Blessings

Pastor Kathy