What Jesus Did

[Jesus continued,] "To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them."

—Mark 4:25 NLT

Key Thought


Jesus wants us to know that as we apply ourselves to listening to him, he is still active in communication. He will help us understand more! But, we must be open to his teaching. We must be willing to listen, hear, and apply his message to our...

 

[Jesus continued,] "Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand."
Then he added, "Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given — and you will receive even more."


—Mark 4:23-24 NLT

Key Thought


If yesterday's message that one day we will be able to understand all the truth about the Kingdom was intended to comfort us, today's message is meant to motivate us. We must earnestly, attentively, pursue the...

 

Then Jesus asked [the apostles], "Would anyone light a lamp and then put it under a basket or under a bed? Of course not! A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine. For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light."

—Mark 4:21-22 NLT

Key Thought


Confusion is one of the more frustrating states of mind. Not seeing clearly, not being able to perceive fully, or not being able to understand leaves...

 

[Continuing the explanation of his parable, Jesus said,] "The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don't have deep roots, they don't last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God's word."

—Mark 4:16-17 NLT

Key Thought


So many of us can get excited about new things, especially new spiritual undertakings. Unfortunately, when the going gets tough, we...

 

[Continuing the explanation of his parable, Jesus said,] "The seed that fell among the thorns represents others who hear God's word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced."

—Mark 4:18-19 NLT

Key Thought


I hate thorns. Spending part of my time growing up in West Texas, I had to deal with all sorts of spiny cactus-like plants. Thorns seem to grow better in...

 

[Continuing the explanation of his parable, Jesus said,] "The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message, only to have Satan come at once and take it away."

—Mark 4:15 NLT

Key Thought


Our efforts to share the Good News of the Kingdom of God don't happen in a vacuum. We must realize that Satan is an active adversary. He opposes and seeks to dilute, distort, and derail every effort made to advance the Kingdom of God in people's hearts. Let's not...

 

[Explaining his parable, Jesus said,] "The farmer plants seed by taking God's word to others."

—Mark 4:14 NLT

Key Thought


Jesus explains his parable of the soils. One key component is the farmer in the story. The farmer is the person who shares God's message, the Good News from God, with others. The question we need to ask ourselves is this: Are we farmers?

Today's Prayer


Father, help me be more effective as a farmer in your Kingdom. Help me see and use...

 

After some time Paul said to Barnabas, "Let's go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing." Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work. Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus. Paul chose Silas, and as he left, the...

 

[Jesus replied to the disciples,] "You are permitted to understand the secret of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables for everything I say to outsiders, so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled:

'When they see what I do,
they will learn nothing.
When they hear what I say,
they will not understand.
Otherwise, they will turn to me
and be forgiven.'"

Then Jesus said to them, "If you can't understand the meaning of this parable, how will you understand all the other parables?"

—Mark...

 

[Jesus told this parable:] "Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seed. As he scattered it across his field, some of the seed fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate it. Other seed fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seed sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. But the plant soon wilted under the hot sun, and since it didn't have deep roots, it died. Other seed fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants so they produced no grain. Still other...