Breaking the Word

 On that day, as evening drew on, he said to them, "Let us cross to the other side." Leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Quiet! Be still!" The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, "Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?" They were filled with great awe and said to one another, "Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?" (Mk 4:35-41)

 

 

Jesus not only explained in private the parables to disciples but he also gave to them only some experiences of the divine power. He gave to each according to their perception or need. He took only Peter, James and John and gave them special experiences like transfiguration, suffering at the Gethsamene etc. There were other experiences which were given to all the disciples and there were still other experiences which were meant for all the people. The choice is totally Jesus’.

 

In this miracle story Jesus is sleeping while the boat is being rocked by wind and the sea. Could he be sleeping? The author wants to communicate that he was not disturbed by the power of wind and the sea. The power of nature was not a threat to him. The divine power which was in control of everything was more powerful than the other. He believed in the divine power.

 

He challenged the disciples and questioned about their disbelief and terror that had seized them. They were not only in control of the power of nature but they were also men of little faith and hence their belief in the divine power was weak. A single man’s belief in the divine power can save the others as well.  

He said, "This is how it is with the kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land  and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.  And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come." He said, "To what shall we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth.  But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade." With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. Without parables he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in private. (Mk 4:26-34)

 

 

Jesus gives parables about the kingdom. The first parable gives one of the important qualities of the kingdom:  kingdom works on its own. Kingdom does not depend on human interventions and assistance. Human availability and openness are needed but for the kingdom to make itself realized in the world it does not need the help of man. Man cannot boast of having established the kingdom.

 

The second quality of the kingdom is that it appears to be small (insignificant) in its beginning but has greater influence and usefulness to humanity. Man should not think about the kingdom of God as he thinks about worldly/human institutions. These institutions have to impress people and show greater success rates etc to be of use. But the kingdom of God is totally of a different nature.

 

Jesus spoke in parables to the people in general. But to his disciples he explained everything to them so that they may understand the meanings. Explanations were given to the disciples so that they may in turn communicate the meaning to the people.