“Secrets”
By Rev. Michael Stonhouse
Meditation – Thursday, February 29, 2024 Mark 4:21-34 (Forward, p. 31) CEV p. 1031 (c. 10:00 a.m.)
Scholars have often postulated that Mark’s Gospel in particular has an underlying theme of ‘secrets’, in particular what they call ‘the Messianic secret’. This idea stems from the fact that Jesus often implores His followers not to tell others who He is, not to ‘let it out’ that He is the Messiah. Scholars and commentators have long debated why Jesus might do this, but I like what my old professor, Dr. Richard Longenecker, suggested. He suggested that Jesus, knowing fully well all the erroneous and militaristic notions that people had about the Messiah, figured that ‘letting it out’ prematurely would excite the common people into doing something extreme and precipitate a violent and deadly reaction from the authorities. He wanted to let the news out only when He and His followers were ready, only after He had schooled His disciples about what the Messiah really was about.
Today’s passage contains a lot by way of secrets as well. The first has to do with our own personal secrets, the things we hide and think that no one will ever know about. And even the way we behave and treat others will become known—and reciprocated.
And then there are the secrets, the unknowns, of how the Kingdom of God grows and shows itself. Firstly, it is surreptitious and stealthy. We don’t see it happening, and still it happens. The seed of the Kingdom grows bit by bit, incrementally, and in fact, it may catch us totally unawares. And what is more: it is totally inconspicuous, inconsequential, in how it begins. The seeds of that Kingdom are hardly even noticeable at the beginning.
And then, there is one other kind of secret, the ‘secrets’ that were hidden in Jesus’ use of parables as His main way of reaching and teaching the public. John Pilch suggests that this was a kind of cloaking exercise, a kind of test of the hearer’s faith. To those with only a cursory interest, they would come across only as interesting and evocative tales, nothing more. But with those of a more curious and searching mind, the parables would tunnel into their subconscious, raise all sorts of questions, and cause the
person to want to investigate further, which was exactly what Jesus wanted. And so the parables were a kind of litmus test to see whether the person was truly interested or not, and a test that would ultimately divide the truly appreciative from those who ‘couldn’t be bothered.’
To me, all of this has some very real applications for us today. Firstly, it says that what we say and do, and how we treat others, really does matter. Indeed, one day, whether for better or for worse, all of this will be brought to light. If these things are positive, they will be a light to others, but if not…well, I don’t want to dwell on that!
Secondly, it says a lot about the Kingdom of God and how it develops, and what our part in it might be. I like to think of our actions, particularly those of loving and of benefit to others, our deeds of faith, are like tiny seeds that do their work unseen and unnoticed, tiny seeds with big results.
And finally, it says something about our attitude to God, to Jesus, and to the truths imparted to us. Are we truly curious, wanting to know more and go further with God, wanting to have our faith and our knowledge and understanding stretched? Or are we content just with what we already know, what we already understand and are comfortable with? And yes, that comfort level really does have a bearing here, in two ways. Number one, it may be somewhat uncomfortable to our thinking to realize that our words and actions, even if in secret, really do count for something. And secondly, it may well be uncomfortable to be that seed that is growing and developing and transforming under God’s protective care and direction. As teenagers and their parents can readily affirm, growth spirts aren’t always that comfortable or pleasant. And certainly, that can be true of our spiritual lives as well. But then, the results of our working with God, allowing Him to grow us in new and unexpected ways, can be incredibly beneficial both for ourselves and for His kingdom. Thanks be to God that this is possible, even with you and me. Amen.
Forward notes: “It is like a mustard seed” (verse 31a).
“The kingdom of God is not always visible to us in its fullness, but it is constantly growing and expanding. Like the mustard see, which starts as the tiniest of all seeds, the kingdom of God begins small and unassuming,
but with time and nurturing, it grows into something magnificent and abundant.
“This passage also reminds us that even the smallest of our efforts to spread God’s love can significantly impact the world. Just like the mustard seed that grows into a large tree and provides shelter for birds, our small acts of kindness and love can give comfort and support to those around us.
“Let us take heart in the knowledge that our efforts to spread God’s love and kindness, no matter how small they may seem, can have a profound impact on the world. And let us trust in God’s infinite wisdom and grace to nurture and grow the kingdom of God, just as the mustard seed grows into a large and fruitful tree.”
Moving Forward: “Plant some mustard seeds (metaphorical ones—and real ones, if you’d like!)