Mark 4:24-25 “Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you — and even more. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.”
Jesus realizes that the majority of his audience can hear because they have the biological mechanisms to hear the sounds around them. He knows they respond according to how their brains interpret the sound waves they receive; therefore, He cautions them to consider carefully what they hear. He knew the people in his audience could somewhat process the literal information they received from him, but He also knew they were deaf to the spiritual implications of his parables. Only the disciples were exposed to a deeper spiritual understanding of his teaching because of their relationship with him. Yes, they all had ears, but only a few possessed understanding; and those few, his disciples, did not truly understand the full implications of Jesus' parables until the Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost. Then the Spirit's indwelling presence made Jesus' parables food for their spiritual lives of faith. When the time came for Jesus to go to the cross, He told them He must go away so He could send the Holy Spirit. He comforted the disciples with these words, But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. A little later, He explained further: Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief. But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. (John 14:26 & 16:6-11)
In his teaching in Mark, we see Jesus talking about an unseen substance that can be distributed to people. With the measure you use, it will be measured to you — and even more. What is Christ referring to that can be measured? What can be dispersed? In all of these parables in Mark 4, He is talking about a spiritual existence, a spiritual kingdom. He is talking about faith, for faith alone can open the door to God's kingdom, the world of the Spirit. The place of God's dwelling is not found through the physical senses: smelling, seeing, hearing, tasting, and feeling. This world of the eternal kingdom can be entered into only by faith. When we choose to live by faith and not by our human intellect and senses, we are living by the measure of faith we allow in our lives. Paul wrote, We live by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7) He had learned what every believer must recognize, the more we open our lives to God's works of righteousness, the more we yield to the Holy Spirit, the more God will measure out faith to us. He will encourage our faith by providing miracles and revelations in our lives. He will open our spiritual eyes and ears that we might see and hear the things of the Spirit. In this life of faith, we enter into what God calls an abundant life, a life blessed by his continuous presence. This kind of spiritual existence can produce much fruit regardless of the everyday vicissitudes and setbacks of life. We live in the same way we were saved: For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10) We have the nature of Christ in us; consequently, we do kingdom work as He gives us his mercy and grace because we are favored by his unconditional love.
Jesus also warns about the consequences of lives void of faith. These people accept only what their senses reveal to them--whatever their logical minds can process and understand. They are dead to the spiritual sound waves from heaven. Even if they do for a few minutes open up to God's voice, their lack of commitment to him causes their faith in the voice of God to disappear quickly, and even what they once had will be taken away. Those who lack a foundation in the Word are easily distracted by the world, for they lack deep faith and do not long for the things of God. In the above teaching, Jesus says those who desire to abide in God's domain must live by faith; we must continue to stretch our faith muscles and let our roots go down deep so we may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified. (Isaiah 61:3) This of course is difficult in times of need, when we grow weary or we are depressed because of our situations. Some trials seem insurmountable to overcome in the flesh. But Jesus encourages us to measure out a large scoop of faith. He asks us to hold firm to his words. When we feel suffocated by the adverse circumstances in our lives, when we feel that there is not enough air in the room, we must turn to Jesus and ask for his abundant presence and his miraculous supply. We must restate affirmations of faith: Because He lives, we live; we are no longer alone; He is with us wherever we are; Our lives are hidden with Christ in God; We are more than conquerors through Christ our Lord. There are many more faith statements each of us can place in this list. At times it may seem hard when we are under duress, yet if we measure out a large measure of faith, God will give us more. But if we retreat in fear and doubt, even what we have will be taken away. Therefore, beloved brethren, stand in faith, believing in the name of the Lord regardless of circumstances. We are believing for you. Shout out the Word by faith: I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Galatians 2:20) You were bought with a price and you live by faith! God bless all of you richly! Amen!
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