The Authority of Christ Today

Posted by Pastor Pat on June 16, 2009

“And He summoned the twelve and began to send them out in pairs,

and gave them authority over the unclean spirits”(Mark 6:7).

The word used for “authority” is the word used to describe a person whose position gives them the power to act and order.  Mark uses the word “authority” nine times.  Jesus taught as one having authority (Mark 1:22).  He exercised “power” over demons (Mark 1:27).  In healing the sick Jesus revealed His power over sin and its consequences (Mark 2:10).  It is this same transfer of “authority” He gave to the twelve disciples (Mark 3:15; 6:7).  The power exhibited by Jesus Christ was evident to all; from where this power came was openly questioned (Mark 11:27-33).  The religious establishment desired to assign its source to Satan.  Jesus openly refuted such blatant error.

There is a parable unique to Mark in Mark 13:28-37.  In the parable our Lord speaks of the time when He will be physically absent from the work.  Verse 34 continues the thought found in Mark 3:15 and 6:7 where authority is given to His servants in His absence.  It is through His people that His presence is continued.  It is because of this authority transfer that His people are able to go into all the world and call everyone, everywhere to repentance and faith in Christ.   It is the same idea contained in Matthew 28:18 where Jesus is described as having been given all authority in heaven and in earth.

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He Was Speaking the Word to Them, So Far As They Were Able to Hear It

Posted by Pastor Pat on May 22, 2009

With many such parables He was speaking the word to them, so far as they were able to hear it; and He did not speak to them without a parable; but He was explaining everything privately to His own disciples.

Read Mark 4:33, 34

Verses 33 and 34 are Mark’s editorial on the teaching ministry of Jesus Christ.  They form a fitting conclusion to the parables found in verses one and following.  There are two questions confronting us in these two verses.  Was what Jesus taught understandable by His immediate audience?  And secondly, why did Jesus not explain everything to everyone rather than only to His disciples?

First, it must be understood how He taught with plainness and simplicity (v. 33).  He did not preach what he could not illustrate; and when he was finished, the people who heard him understood what he had said.  “Our Lord spoke in parables, adjusting His discourse to their capacity to understand.  The implication is clear that parables were employed to make truth plain.”[1] They understood what He said in a context.  The circumstances of the moment lent itself to interpreting the story.  What might appear confusing to us was possibly apparent to His immediate audience.  The larger idea presented by our Lord was clear.  What He wanted them to understand could be understood.

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The Seed Sprouts and Grows

Posted by Pastor Pat on May 18, 2009

Read Mark 4:26-29

. . . ²⁷ and he goes to bed at night and gets up by day, and the seed sprouts and grows-

how, he himself does not know.  ²⁸ “The soil produces crops by itself; first the blade,

then the head, then the mature grain in the head^.

²⁹ “But when the crop permits, he immediately puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

As is true of all parables there is a large, singular idea that needs to caught by the listener.  The intent of the parables as found in Mark 4 is to encourage His disciples as to the certainty of the work in which they are engaged and to instruct them as to the character of this kingdom.  There are three aspects to this kingdom as it is described in the parable.  First, the growth of the Kingdom is always constant.  Second, the growth of the Kingdom is unavoidable.  And finally, the growth of the Kingdom is complete.

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They Yielded a Crop and Produced. . .

Posted by Pastor Pat on May 10, 2009

Read Mark 4:1-20

This parable of the soils is part of our Lord explaining the mystery of the kingdom of God.  There are aspects of the promised kingdom presently being manifested.

An aspect of the kingdom revealed is pictured in the wide broadcasting of seed.  The seed finds various receptions.  The truth of God’s kingdom will be openly resisted by some.  And because of misunderstanding of the true program of God, others will initially receive it with joy, but in time will abandon it because of failed expectations.  Only a remnant will receive it with joy and see enduring fruit.  This parable explains what is happening.  In Mark 1 the authority of the King is established.  In chapters two and three there is open resistance to the authority.  Now in chapter 4 the reason this is true is explained.   The primary idea in the parable of the soils is not to emphasize the ¾ who resist, but the ultimate triumph of God’s kingdom in the world.

So far in the narrative, Mark has placed the person and work of Jesus in a context of strenuous opposition, whereby the religious establishment and political authorities are openly hostile to Him and are desirous of seeing Him destroyed.  In this context, anyone who would claim to be His disciple would be discouraged and depressed.  This parable seeks to show them the end of God’s program.  In so doing, His disciples are to be greatly encouraged.

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