Hearing Mark: chapters 4 & 5

This week we began to hear some of the teaching that we'd been told about, but not heard, in Mark's story up to now. It is good to remember just now that - in Mark's Gospel - miracles outnumber parables 5 to 1. (Although we have also heard little snippets of things Jesus has said or implied about the coming Kingdom, even if they are not what we would classically recognize as 'parables'.)

In chapter 4, we get the seed-bearing parables: the sower, the hidden growth of seed, and the mystery of the mustard seed. We here that Jesus taught with 'many such parables' and wouldn't teach without parables. There is something about the mystery inherent in these parables that may qualify some of our earlier points, especially the ever-present 'secret' which has been with us since the beginning of this story. It seems that Jesus is less interested in keeping his mission a secret than with acting out the hidden-but-to-be-revealed nature of the Kingdom of God through his ministry.
When Jesus leaves the shore having shared these parables about growth (and having upbraided the disciples for their lack of understanding), the rambling group set sail for the other side of Lake Genesaret (notice that there were other ships accompanying Jesus' boat?). On the way, after panicking during the storm, we learn that knowledge or understanding are opposed to fear, but the disciple's still don't get it, asking: What manner of man is this? We couldn't help but notice that Jesus seemed to calmly address the storm, but was angry with the disciples.

In chapter 5, we find that the Kingdom has power in places that Jews typically find abhorrent: among tombs, swine, and gentiles; with women who are menstruating; and with the dead. We also find that one's own faith (as well as that of our compatriots, as with the paralytic let down through the roof) can be enough to bring healing.

And the hidden revelation continued as a dead young girl (talitha), like a seed hidden in the depths of the earth, rose (kumi) to Jesus.

Oh, and did you notice that Jesus sent out the first apostle to the Gentiles? He told the man whom he had released from the demon Legion to go tell his family and friends how much the Lord had done for him.

And the lesson to the Disciples during the storm at sea was underlined to us again: Only believe; be not afraid.

I hope you've been able to keep up this far and that we will see each other Monday @ 7!