Breaking the Word

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.  

He said to them, "Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand?  For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light. Anyone who has ears to hear ought to hear." He also told them, "Take care what you hear. The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, and still more will be given to you. To the one who has, more will be given; from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away." (Mk 4:21-25)

Lamp is brought in to a place of prominence. It has to give light and hence it should be kept in the open and not kept in a hidden place. This example is to communicate the message that there is nothing hidden in the world and there are no secrets. The message of the kingdom, though communicated secretly or only to a few, will reach the ends of the earth and it will be openly announced.

So the disciples are asked to be take care about what they hear. Whatever they hear and whatever they speak are announced in the open and the way they do will be the way it will be done to him. The first message is about secrets and the second message is about justice.

The third message is about God’s generosity. The man one who has and does more with what he has, God in turn blesses him with extra. God’s generosity is motivated and encouraged by man’s generosity and effort to do good. The greater the good that man does still greater the reward for him.