DBG - October 18 - Mark 4-5

In this chapter Christ teaches in parables and calms a storm.

vs. 1-20 – This parallels Matthew 13:1-23 and Luke 8:4-15.  Christ gives the Parable of the Sower, explains His reasons for speaking in parables, and then interprets the parable.  The purpose of this parable is to show the effect of the Gospel on the hearts of men.  There are many opinions on which of the examples show those that are truly saved.  My take is that any situation where a seed sprouts represents regeneration.  Sadly, many that accept the Gospel fail to grow in God’s grace.

vs. 21-25 - This parallels Luke 8:16-18.  The Parable of the Candle exhorts the believer to shine forth the light within them to the dark world around them.  All things will be revealed in the end, so there is no need to hide your light now.

vs. 26-29 –  The Parable of the Seed Growing teaches us that is time between sowing of the Gospel seed and reaping the final harvest.  Much of this process is out of the hands of the farmer, who can only wait for nature to bring the seed to become ripe for harvest.  It is the same for us.  We can only worry about the sowing of the Word and must leave the final judgment up to God.

vs. 30-34 - This parallels Matthew 13:31-32 and Luke 13:18-19.  The Parable of the Mustard Seed shows the effect of the Gospel.  Something so small and seemingly insignificant in this world grows into something magnificent and undeniable.  I must point out that this may not necessarily be interpreted as being an entirely good thing.  Birds are used in prophetic imagery as evil symbols, so this could hint at the corruption of the church as it grows.

vs. 35-41 - This parallels Matthew 8:18-27 and Luke 8:22-25.  Mark adds the detail that it is not just one boat sailing tonight by many.  The disciples in the ship with Christ wake him in fear of the storm that arose.  Christ calms the storm with a simple command.

In this chapter Christ performs notable miracles.

vs. 1-20 – This parallels Matthew 8:28-34 and Luke 8:26-40.  Gadara was a town about 5 miles from the southeastern shore of the Sea of Galilee.  It was part of the Decapolis, a league of ten Gentile cities in the region.  This event takes place near a graveyard between Gadara and the Sea of Galilee.  From those tombs arose a demon possessed man who was well-known in the area.  Matthew records that there were two men, but Mark and Luke only focus on the story of one of them.  This man says his name is Legion, a term for a Roman army division with around 6,000 or more members.  The numerous demons desire to be cast out of the man and into the nearby herd of swine.  Christ allows this, not because He honored the demons’ request but rather to let the area know what had happened.  The herd of around 2,000 pigs run into the Sea of Galilee and drown themselves.  Swine were of course unclean animals for the Jews (Leviticus 11:7-8 and Deuteronomy 14:8) but were a staple of the Roman diet.  This proves the inhabitants of the area to be Gentiles.  As is so often the case, the people are upset about their material loss and refuse to celebrate the redemption of a hopeless cause.  The beg Christ to leave.  Christ does so but leaves the delivered man behind as a witness for Him to the Gentiles of the Decapolis.

vs. 21-43 – This parallels Matthew 9:18-26 and Luke 8:41-56.  Christ raises the daughter of Jairus (“whom God enlightens”) from the dead.  While en route to do so, a woman with an issue of blood is healed after touching the hem of His garment.  Mark preserves the Aramaic words Christ spoke, “Talitha cumi,” which he then interprets for his readers into Greek. 

One question I have for the disciples when they were crossing the Sea of Galilee and the storm came up on them: WHY DID YOU WAIT SO LONG TO WAKE CHRIST?  He could have stopped the storm before their situation became so perilous.  But then I must confess this is our human nature.  We ought to take our troubles to God long before we do.  We do not have to wait until we fear we could perish.  Go to Him at the first sign of cloudy skies. 

Our hymn today is “Master, the Tempest is Raging.”  It was written in 1874 by Mary Ann Baker.

1. Master, the tempest is raging!
The billows are tossing high!
The sky is o’ershadowed with blackness,
No shelter or help is nigh;
Carest Thou not that we perish?
How canst Thou lie asleep,
When each moment so madly is threatening
A grave in the angry deep?

Refrain
The winds and the waves shall obey Thy will,
Peace, be still!
Whether the wrath of the storm tossed sea,
Or demons or men, or whatever it be
No waters can swallow the ship where lies
The Master of ocean, and earth, and skies;
They all shall sweetly obey Thy will,
Peace, be still! Peace, be still!
They all shall sweetly obey Thy will,
Peace, peace, be still!

2. Master, with anguish of spirit
I bow in my grief today;
The depths of my sad heart are troubled
Oh, waken and save, I pray!
Torrents of sin and of anguish
Sweep o’er my sinking soul;
And I perish! I perish! dear Master
Oh, hasten, and take control. [Refrain]

3. Master, the terror is over,
The elements sweetly rest;
Earth’s sun in the calm lake is mirrored,
And heaven’s within my breast;
Linger, O blessèd Redeemer!
Leave me alone no more;
And with joy I shall make the blest harbor,
And rest on the blissful shore. [Refrain]