Read Mark 4:21-34, Ears to Hear

Besides telling us two more parables, Jesus teaches us some important things about listening (4:21-25,33-34).  First, everything will be revealed that we need to know to believe in and follow Christ (4:22).  Jesus said that the people of Israel were blinded so as not to see His truth.  But that does not mean they have an excuse for their unbelief.  They knew who Jesus claimed to be and what He was doing in their midst.  We should also understand that we have been given every spiritual blessing in Christ (Eph. 1:3).  We have all that pertains to life and godliness (2 Pt. 1:2-4).  We even have the Holy Spirit to help us know these blessings (1 Cor. 2:12).

Second, what Christ reveals is meant to be heard (4:21).  Think about this.  If I choose not to hear His actual message, that is on me.  His message is life-changing and critical to one’s eternity.  The sower needs to declare Jesus’ message.  The listener needs to listen.

Third, it is up to the individual to hear (4:23).  We saw these words earlier (v9), and they are used in Revelation 2-3 in the letters to the Churches.  If one does not understand they need to do what Jesus’ disciples did in v10: they asked for clarification!  Do we want to hear Jesus’ words?

Fourth, Jesus also says that as you learn your capacity to learn increases, even as if you neglect to learn it diminishes what you have already learned (4:24-25).  In other words, Jesus’ words are intended to become “life” to those who hear.  It is intended to be used, to become part of our “mindset” if you will.

Later in the chapter (4:33-34) there is one other important fact: Jesus is a compassionate teacher.  He is willing to help us, but we must ask for and meet with Him.  The parables were intended to conceal certain truths.  But to those with “ears to hear” He was willing to explain them. 

Jesus taught two other parables to teach about what it would mean to follow Him after His rejection.  Both are in the context of “farming.”  In the “Parable of the Growing Seed” (4:26-29) we see that His servants were responsible to sow the seed and water the plant.  But the increase, the fruitfulness, would come from God.  Jesus built on this idea in John 4:34-38 and Paul did the same in 1 Cor. 3:5-8.  His kingdom grows as His servants tend the field.  But God gives the increase.

In the “Parable of the Mustard Seed” (4:30-32) we see that His Kingdom grows from something very small like a mustard seed to something very large, large enough for the birds to rest in its branches.  Jesus has in mind an actual mustard tree, common in the Middle East but not so in the West.  The Church, the “Mystery form” of Jesus Kingdom, though small at the start, has grown into something that will facilitate many from the nations that will believe (Rom. 11:25). 

Perhaps you can see some of why Jesus kept these things secret from the Jewish crowds.  His ministry was to the Jews, but He understood that His rejection would facilitate ministry to the Gentiles, something the Jewish crowd didn’t relish.