Mark 4. This chapter has three well-known parables and one big miracle! The Parable of the Sower (4:3-20) is always the first parable recorded in all gospel narratives, in part because it frames the entire question of how people respond to the gospel message. I addressed the Parable of the Sower when we first encountered it in Luke 8, which you can read here. The other two parables of the Growing Seed (4:26-29) and the Mustard Seed (4:30-34) are lessons about the kingdom of God.

There are many lessons we could discuss from this chapter, but I would like to focus on the question we are asking each day in the Gospel of Mark, “How does Jesus interact with people?” There are two things that stand out to me:

First, the text tells us that Jesus did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything (4:34). Jesus also tells his own disciples, to you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables (4:11). We note that Jesus’ interaction with people varies, based on how those people have reacted to him. For those who have responded to him, who chose to follow Jesus, who are building a relationship with him, who are hungry for more and to learn – their eyes are opened, Jesus explains everything and continues to pour into them and invest more. Lean in with curiosity, a soft heart and open hands and Jesus will give you more. But those who were not open to Jesus and had hard hearts, they got nothing more from him.

Secondly, there is the miracle of Jesus calming the storm at the end of the chapter (4:35-41). Sudden, big storms on a boat can be terrifying! We who live on the Gulf Coast know that a day can start perfectly sunny, but midafternoon a massive squall line with 60 mph winds might pop up and wreak havoc. We understand this story! The disciples cry out, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?!” Yes, in fact, Jesus does care that everyone is terrified and thinks they are about to drown. He empathizes with their fear and sense of vulnerability! He rebukes the wind and sea and everything is calm again.

Have you ever had a moment or a season of life when you felt like crying out, do you not care that we are perishing?!  The answer is yes, a thousand times yes, Jesus does care. He does not want you feeling that way! Sometimes he will step in and calm the storm. Sometimes the storm will rage on, but he will give you peace and a way through it. Always remember that he responds with empathy and concern whenever we feel overwhelmed and vulnerable.

Are you or someone you know feeling tossed by the wind and the waves in a stormy season of life? Will you draw comfort from knowing Jesus cares about you? Can you look to see how he is providing and caring for you, even if it’s maybe not the answer you expected?

Are you someone who is leaning into a deeper relationship with Jesus? Reach out to him with openness and look for his response, direction, and gifts of understanding and comfort.