In verse 21 we have a luknos, modion and klinen – a lamp, a grain measure containing about 8.75 litres, almost one peck, a vessel used to hide a light (must be where we get the bushel basket from- something they are storing grain in- I imagine very common place- every family would have one- so there is not much significance in it being a 'bushel basket' , you could substitute waste paper basket- Where it has always sounded weird to me, it wouldn't have caused any blinks in Jesus audience, it is plain common sense, you don't light a lamp and then cover it up- this sentence starts with a meti as well- so it expects a negative answer. And klinen – a bed- and you don't put a lamp under one of these.
“For there is nothing hidden, except that it be made visible/ clear” nor is anything secret except to come to light. Anyone who has hears to hear, let him hear.
So after elaborating the smokescreen policy immediately before this, Jesus then asserts that all will be brought out into the open- the light will shine where it is meant to- where everyone can see it. Is this a bit eschatalogical? Or does everyone get to 'see', (not as Jesus would have them see) but many will not understand? So the seed sown on the rocky ground, in a sense saw but never saw.
I suppose the predominant time frame is the present. Its the kingdom of God Jesus is talking about. When God's rule enters, it is like a light that shines on everything- nothing remains hidden or disclosed except to come to light. Sin has no part of this rule- the light is shone upon all those parts of our lives – a potentially shameful thing- 'Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man' – a good confession- the light had shone on Peter- and there's repentance there and redemptive love and power can start its work.
John 8:12... “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”
The bizarre thing is when I seek to hide the reality of God's rule in my life- as Jesus points out who would do that. Its like the third soil- the seed sown among thorns- the lamp is mostly being put under the grain holder or under the bed- what is meant to bring light to the individual and to those around them, is not doing what is purposed for- or natural to it.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
The good earth- 4:20
And there are those which are sowed upon the good earth who (are such that) hear the word and embrace (it) and bear fruit, one thirty fold, one sixty fold and one a hundred fold.
paradekomai- receive, welcome, embrace.
BDAG 1. to acknowledge something to be correct, accept, w. a thing as obj. in the accusative.
2. to accept the presence of someone in a hospital manner, receive, accept, w. a pers. as obj. in the acc.
They assign Mark's usage to the first. -I wonder if you can argue it's a bit of the second as well (which is how Zerwick and Grosvenor also seem to take it). Considering that the 'word' could also be thought of as a person. Considering the context it seems to fit- these people hear the word like rich soil- they take it in- more than just a cerebral- ah yes that's correct- I must now align things that way- All this growth starts springing up all over the place- its been received with joy- like guests you have longed to see- the word not just as a book of laws- but how the author of psalm 119 feels about the law
One thirty fold, one sixty fold and one a hundred fold. Definitely got a good return from these soils.
paradekomai- receive, welcome, embrace.
BDAG 1. to acknowledge something to be correct, accept, w. a thing as obj. in the accusative.
2. to accept the presence of someone in a hospital manner, receive, accept, w. a pers. as obj. in the acc.
They assign Mark's usage to the first. -I wonder if you can argue it's a bit of the second as well (which is how Zerwick and Grosvenor also seem to take it). Considering that the 'word' could also be thought of as a person. Considering the context it seems to fit- these people hear the word like rich soil- they take it in- more than just a cerebral- ah yes that's correct- I must now align things that way- All this growth starts springing up all over the place- its been received with joy- like guests you have longed to see- the word not just as a book of laws- but how the author of psalm 119 feels about the law
One thirty fold, one sixty fold and one a hundred fold. Definitely got a good return from these soils.
Godly superannuation sales pitch?- 4:18-19
It's the next group, I think I am far too often a part of. With the help of Zerwick... others are those sown among thorns, these are the ones who hear the word, but the worries of the present age (or which preoccupy men in the world (subj) or (obj) for things of the world) and the deception (allurement) of wealth and the desires concerning the remaining things, come in and choke the word and it becomes unproductive.
The worries of the present age- or things which preoccupy at the expense of more important things- and the deception of wealth. So insidious. So easy to fall for. It does seem too radical to just not worry about those things and seek first his rule. I suppose somewhere there's a place for a prudent proverbs approach- but its got to be in the right context. Jesus talks about people building towers- sitting down to work out the cost and whether they have enough money to build it- the opposite to the rootless person- and here he is talking about being a disciple- you must count the cost and then persevere.
Its not a side issue which Jesus talks to only very occasionally. There are not many stronger themes which run through his teaching- to find yourself you must lose yourself, take up your cross daily, its harder for a rich man to go through the eye of a needle, store your treasure in uncorruptible places, the man who builds bigger barns dies, let the dead bury the dead, don't turn back at the plough share, Follow and entrust your needs to the only place that merits that trust.
What does a godly superannuation salesman do with this?
The worries of the present age- or things which preoccupy at the expense of more important things- and the deception of wealth. So insidious. So easy to fall for. It does seem too radical to just not worry about those things and seek first his rule. I suppose somewhere there's a place for a prudent proverbs approach- but its got to be in the right context. Jesus talks about people building towers- sitting down to work out the cost and whether they have enough money to build it- the opposite to the rootless person- and here he is talking about being a disciple- you must count the cost and then persevere.
Its not a side issue which Jesus talks to only very occasionally. There are not many stronger themes which run through his teaching- to find yourself you must lose yourself, take up your cross daily, its harder for a rich man to go through the eye of a needle, store your treasure in uncorruptible places, the man who builds bigger barns dies, let the dead bury the dead, don't turn back at the plough share, Follow and entrust your needs to the only place that merits that trust.
What does a godly superannuation salesman do with this?
Short term enthusiasts- 4:16-17
The next group immediately receive the word with joy- but they have no root in themselves, but are wanting in perseverance (or unstable), then when affliction or persecution comes on account of the word immediately they fall away.
Tommo in his translation says they are 'short term enthusiasts'.
Both the NIV and the NRSV just have 'they have no root'- and don't worry about the 'en heautois' (in themselves). I wonder why. I suppose it doesn't make a huge amount of difference. Although it does seem to heighten their rudderless state- that outside influences will always hold sway with them- extremely fickle. No, I disagree- I think it does make a difference.
Tommo in his translation says they are 'short term enthusiasts'.
Both the NIV and the NRSV just have 'they have no root'- and don't worry about the 'en heautois' (in themselves). I wonder why. I suppose it doesn't make a huge amount of difference. Although it does seem to heighten their rudderless state- that outside influences will always hold sway with them- extremely fickle. No, I disagree- I think it does make a difference.
Don't mention Satan 4:14-15
I might leave the fall and come back to Jesus explanation. Although there is a link. Jesus is not shy about talking about the reality of Satan- that he is present and active. He equates Satan with the birds- For the first group of people, upon hearing, immediately Satan comes and takes away what has been sown in them. The 'father of lies' Jesus calls him elsewhere. Here- its a case of staying with the lie, not necessarily introducing it. He doesn't want them to hear or see the truth at all, and gives no chance for penetration. Interesting in that the initiative here is placed with Satan. A corrective for one such is I who is a little worried when people mention Satan too much (I still think that possible)- but its not necessarily in keeping with how Jesus sums up a whole swathe of people, or Peter talks to another group who served Jesus- 'Be self controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.'
It would seem I'm fairly Australian in this reticence. Hugh Mackay's figures for Australian belief were something like 70% or more believed in God, 44% in the divinity of Jesus, 43% in the resurrection and around 30% for hell and also Satan. There was something in the Australian or SMH recently that was more recent- and it was still roughly similar.
It would seem I'm fairly Australian in this reticence. Hugh Mackay's figures for Australian belief were something like 70% or more believed in God, 44% in the divinity of Jesus, 43% in the resurrection and around 30% for hell and also Satan. There was something in the Australian or SMH recently that was more recent- and it was still roughly similar.
Veilings and Nephilim
What is the go in the Garden? It seems as though there is not necessarily the veil there- God walks around in it and Adam and Eve are there also. How does the relationship work? How close? I'm just reading the story- its strange. Wondering about the veiled thing- whether that's an after the fall thing. Before it Adam and Eve walked in the Garden with God in the evening breeze- after they are kicked out of the garden- no more walks with God in the evening- his presence no longer as close. And the reason they are kicked out is strange too- “See, the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil; and now, he might reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”. Surely they already knew good and evil- that is why they are kicked out- for disobeying- an evil- and they are held accountable for this, which presumes an appropriate level of knowledge.
Was conscience somehow heightened, while the presence of God veiled?
Looks like I might only understand the fall in a catechism type of way. Oh well.
Actually that is not entirely true. I understand the fall from an experiential standpoint. I see its effects played out in my own life- but what was going on in the garden- that's a bit hazy- and maybe a bit uncomfortable, with snakes, and flaming swords and then a few chapters on Nephilim, and heroes of old and men of renown.
Was conscience somehow heightened, while the presence of God veiled?
Looks like I might only understand the fall in a catechism type of way. Oh well.
Actually that is not entirely true. I understand the fall from an experiential standpoint. I see its effects played out in my own life- but what was going on in the garden- that's a bit hazy- and maybe a bit uncomfortable, with snakes, and flaming swords and then a few chapters on Nephilim, and heroes of old and men of renown.
The inside- 4:13
The explanation comes after Jesus has already said that, the secret of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you but to those outside everything comes in parables. Then Jesus seems a little unimpressed that they don't get it- how then will you understand all of the parables? The inference is that the secret of the kingdom has not been given to them due to the fact that they have had parables explained- Jesus seems to think this should be unnecessary- Both those on the outside and those on the inside have access to the same information- Everyone in the crowd gets to sit there and listen and see, they all get to hear the parables- To some (most it would seem) that is what they will always remain- pretty stories perhaps, that they have never had the key to unlock, and never really knew the meaning of- but to others who begin to hear and see, the hiddeness of God's rule, starts to reveal itself- ask, it is given, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be open to you.
An orientation of the heart which God gives to or honours.
Complex the whole being drawn and seeking. ... “To you has been given...
If he hadn't sought us, or revealed himself to us (wound the thing up and then let it run of its own accord) we'd have buckleys. He starts it- initiates it.
Yep, sustains it as well- is far more present than I recognise, and far, far more present than those on the 'outside' recognise.
And perhaps in the whole drawing and seeking thing- it's like most things- we struggle to get a proper perspective on our own importance- We refer too much to ourselves and over-reach; whereas the reference point is the creator who gives us an importance seemingly out of kilter with ourselves, a derived thing – Because of the importance I have in the Creators mind and heart- I am important- because of the action of Jesus, because of the Father's love- I am a family member- a son, with the full rights of a son- which is true, wonderful, inalieble (however you spell it), but I am here on Jesus coat tails. Its an importance that cannot be full of itself- it should be full of him- our gaze sweeps past us to him and others. And paradoxically the more this happens, the more we become ourselves and are given ourselves- and don't care about it.
Much there that is theory- but I'm pretty sure is true. It would be good to prove it far more in my life
An orientation of the heart which God gives to or honours.
Complex the whole being drawn and seeking. ... “To you has been given...
If he hadn't sought us, or revealed himself to us (wound the thing up and then let it run of its own accord) we'd have buckleys. He starts it- initiates it.
Yep, sustains it as well- is far more present than I recognise, and far, far more present than those on the 'outside' recognise.
And perhaps in the whole drawing and seeking thing- it's like most things- we struggle to get a proper perspective on our own importance- We refer too much to ourselves and over-reach; whereas the reference point is the creator who gives us an importance seemingly out of kilter with ourselves, a derived thing – Because of the importance I have in the Creators mind and heart- I am important- because of the action of Jesus, because of the Father's love- I am a family member- a son, with the full rights of a son- which is true, wonderful, inalieble (however you spell it), but I am here on Jesus coat tails. Its an importance that cannot be full of itself- it should be full of him- our gaze sweeps past us to him and others. And paradoxically the more this happens, the more we become ourselves and are given ourselves- and don't care about it.
Much there that is theory- but I'm pretty sure is true. It would be good to prove it far more in my life
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