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Mark 4:33-34
In Mark 4:33-34 we learn that Jesus taught the people through many other parables which are not specifically listed in the biblical text. This reminds me of the words of the Apostle John in John 20:30-31 (NKJV) as he stated, “And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.” But through these teachings we are informed that Jesus did not teach in this setting without using a parable. This is reflective of the words of Jesus in Mark 4:11-12 when He was asked by His disciples to explain the parable of the sower to them. Jesus states, “To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables, so that
‘Seeing they may see and not perceive,
And hearing they may hear and not
Understand;
Lest they should turn,
And their sins be forgiven them.’” [Isaiah 6:9,10]
This is a promise that Jesus taught many things and performed many healings that are not listed in the Bible; but those that are listed are for us to draw near to Him.
The key to understanding the teachings of Jesus is, as He states in Mark 4:11b, “but to those who are outside” in reference to those who do not believe in Jesus as the Son of God. We recognize this in our everyday relationships with those around us: if we do not believe a person to be trustworthy, we refuse to believe in them – we harden our hearts to that person. But if we have full trust in a person, we tend to believe what they say to us and will receive their advice with an open heart to our trust in them. For those who do not believe in Jesus as the Son of God, it is with a hardened heart that they hear/refuse to hear His message of salvation. Open your heart to Jesus today and receive Him – hear His words with intent to follow Him in salvation.
Dear LORD,
You teach us many things in Your Word that we may never understand if we refuse to believe in the One who is teaching them – Jesus – the Savior of the world (John 3:16-17). Please help us to believe LORD that we may understand with an open heart the salvation that You have provided for us by putting our full trust in Christ Jesus to forgive us our sins and bless us with eternal life by believing in Him. In Jesus name I pray, amen.