◄ What Does Mark 4:34 Mean? ►

and He did not speak to them without a parable; but He was explaining everything privately to His own disciples.

Mark 4:34(NASB)

Verse of the Day

Jesus started to fulfil the prophecy of Isaiah when He started to speak to the people in parables. A parable is so much more than an earthly story with a heavenly meaning, for Israel had ears but did not listen to the Word of the Lord, and though they had eyes, they neither saw nor understood the enormity of His gracious message.

The Lord Jesus painted a word picture to capture the imagination of the crowd, but His painting became a mirror which reflected their attitude towards the truth that He was presenting. For those who cast a casual glance, it was no more than a pretty picture, but for those that gazed deeply at Christ's illustration by faith, it became a window through which they could glimpse God and the truth of His Word. Because of Israel's unbelief, Jesus did not speak to the crowds without using a parable, but when He was alone with His own disciples, He explained everything.

We come to God by faith, and as we gaze into His Word and spend time alone with Him, He will start to open up new and exciting qualities of His Person, and He will reveal plans that were initially hidden from our view.

When we are prepared to admit our own lack of understanding (both of ourselves and of Him), and when we seek to spend quality time alone in His presence, He will start to unveil truths in His Word that have laid hidden to our understanding. Things too wonderful for us to know.

Let us spend time with the Lord in His Word, increasing and deepening our understanding of Jesus: "In Whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."

My Prayer

Heavenly Father, for too long I have relied on my own understanding and only viewed Your Word as a good but superficial picture-book. Forgive me, Lord. I desire to gaze deeply into Your Word, drinking in all the truths and precious promises within. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, Lord. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.