David Bahn – Reflections

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I am using the YouVersion 49 Week Bible Challenge for these devotions. Today’s readings are Mark 4; Jeremiah 16; Psalm 147; Ezekiel 31.

Mark 4:30-41

And Jesus said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? ³¹ It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, ³² yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”

³³ With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it. ³⁴ He did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.

³⁵ On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” ³⁶ And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. ³⁷ And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. ³⁸ But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” ³⁹ And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. ⁴⁰ He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” ⁴¹ And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

Jesus is identified in classic Lutheran theology as prophet, priest, and king. As such he speaks God’s word faithfully, intercedes for the people of the earth, and reigns and rules above all things at the right hand of God. This is the three-fold office of Christ.

I see all three in this passage. I love how Jesus speaks of the kingdom of God and declares so faithfully and fully the realities of God’s reign and rule. The kingdom of God, Jesus says, “is like a grain of mustard seed.” This is the prophetic role of Jesus. He teaches the truth of God. In this case, declaring that God will do something remarkably great through something that seems so small. 

And so it is: this small rag-tag group of men will go on to change the world. The 12 will grow to 72, then to 120, then to 3000, 5000, and in the end “a multitude that one can count” (cf. Revelation 7). And just as in the Old Testament times the prophets spoke with an edge in their message, so does Jesus. For his expression that the birds of the air will come to the tree that will grow from the small seed indicates peoples from far and wide will come and find rest and relief in God’s kingdom. This small thing will become much greater and far-reaching than any of them could ever have imagined.

And then as a subtle expression of his priestly role, Jesus is taken in the boat, just as he was, and becoming so tired that he falls asleep. Jesus has taken on human flesh so fully that he is subject to the physical limitations we all experience. This will lead him ultimately to the cross where he will offer his life as the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world.

But he is also king over all, King of the Universe. King of wind and wave. So when the storm rages, Jesus, – awakened from his slumber – stands and rebukes the wind and the waves. They are stilled. The disciples wonder, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” 

This is the Son of God. He is our prophet – telling us the truth of God, our priest – praying for us and offering the once-for-all sacrifice for the sins of the world, and King of kings and Lord of lords, in whose hand are the deep places of the earth, to whom we must give an account, and to whom we may pray in our time of need. He is able to act in our behalf, and he is willing to act for our good.