In this portion of our gospel we will consider the role of light in the world, and then two more examples of Christ’s teaching light. In the last part of the chapter, we see Christ command the wind and waves, and the disciples respond to this with the question that the gospel of Mark was written to answer. Who is this man?
What is the point of having light? We have already seen that the parables of Christ reveal truth to some and blind others. But the blindness is brought about by blinding light. The teaching of the kingdom of God is not a whispered “secret.” It is taught in the open, for all to hear and see. When there is darkness, it is a darkness brought in by the heart of the one who does not see.
The reason we bring light at all is in order to illumine (v. 21). And what is it that this light which comes will illumine? The answer is that it will illumine all the secrets of men (v. 22). Nothing is exempt; all will be made manifest. Those who have ears should hear (v. 23), but is this a reason to panic? In the day of judgment will the whole world sit down to watch a review of your thought life? The answer is that your sins are revealed now, here, in the teaching of the Word of God.
Those who understand this live in a certain way — they are charitable in how they evaluate the sins of others. The measure they use will be used on them (v. 24). This is why we must be careful in what teaching we listen to (v. 24). If you hear right, you will continue to hear right. If you hear wrong, you are cycling downward, circling the drain (v. 25). So take heed how and what you hear.
Christ comes to a second parable of organic growth, a parable of mysterious growth. We see here the necessary elements to such a harvest, but also the fact that we have very little idea of how it all works. First there is a sower — the word is planted by him(v. 26). The Bible teaches this throughout. How shall they hear without a preacher? Over time, who knows how, the seed grows up into a crop. It happens inexorably, and, in a way that helps to make this point, silently, quietly. The kingdom of heaven is not like a marching band coming around the corner. Quietly this happens, and the farmer who planted the seed watches in astonishment (v. 27). Then is the harvest. The farmer understands the process in its broad outlines. He plants, it grows, and he puts in the sickle, because the grain has grown up to its fullness (vv. 28-29).
What else is the kingdom like (v. 30)? It is like a tiny mustard seed (v. 31), less than all the seeds. But despite the small beginnings, the plant grows to be an enormous garden plant. It is so large that birds nest in it (Dan. 4:12). Look at the beginnings of the Christian faith. How did this all start? And look where it is now. On what basis would we say the process is anywhere near being finished?
Jesus taught the people in parables like this, as much as they could bear (v. 33). But He went over the deeper meanings of the parables with His disciples (v. 34). We should not assume that we do not have this extra teaching. Remember that the apostles were those who taught us in their epistles. We are missing no teaching necessary for our discipleship.
That evening, Jesus decided they should cross the sea, which they did, along with some other boats (vv. 35-36). A sudden storm arose, which is common on Galilee. The waves started coming into the ship, which frightened the disciples, even though a number of them were experienced sailors (v. 37). They woke Jesus with an implied rebuke — do You not care that we are dying (v. 38)? Christ responds with two rebukes. The first thing Christ did was rebuke the wind and waves. He is the Lord of Creation, and they obeyed Him (v. 39). The second thing He did was to rebuke the disciples for their fear, and the feebleness of their faith (v. 40). There were two rebukes, and there were two kinds of fear that night. They had been afraid of drowning (v. 38, 40). But now they were afraid of not drowning. Drowning was at least an understandable concept. But this Man just tells the created world what to do! So they feared a great fear (v. 41).
Who is this Man? The result was the great question, answered later in the Gospel of Mark (v. 41). He is the Son of God. And here is your application. You know all about your storms, and the storms which beset the Church. But is Christ in your boat? And after He delivers you, do you then want to hear a littlefaith rebuke?