And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”

Mark 4:21-34

And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” Mark 4:24-25

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on a commentary-assisted review of Mark 4:21-34, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary - which offers three divisions for this text, including the first division (4:21-25). Excerpts from the commentary's introduction and first (of three) divisions of the text: 

• Main idea for vv21-34: "The kingdom of God is guaranteed to grow by the power of God until it encompasses people from every nation." 
• "Mark 4:1-34 consists of four parables. Verses 21-34 comprise the final three of these. The theme of all of them is how God’s kingdom emerges and grows with the appearance of Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah, who came to give His life as a ransom for many (10:45). Mark brings these parables together to reinforce the main parable of the soils (4:1-20). These stories drive home the need for the response of faith to God’s revealed Word." 
• Jesus is of course the lamp and the parables share how we are to respond to Jesus, the Light of the World.  See also John 12:46, 1:4, 1:9, and 8:12.
• God sent His Son Jesus Christ to bring Light to all corners of the world and redemptive history is the story of how his servants fulfilled the Great Commission.  
• "The light may be, for the most part, hidden at the moment. However, eventually the whole world will see the glory of this light. That which is hidden will be manifest. The resurrection of the crucified King assures this revelation. The second coming of the glorified King will establish it." 
• Hearing of the Word is key: "If your hearing is good, rich, and receptive to the Word, you will receive it back and even more."  
• In contrast, "[r]efuse Jesus and the Word, and you lose the little you may once have had. This is a critical spiritual principle. Our spiritual health, our spiritual eternity, is at stake. How we respond to Jesus day by day is of the utmost seriousness. Do not take for granted the relationship you have today. It could all be lost tomorrow." 

A review of the commentary draws me to James 1:22-25 where believers are urged to be "doers of the Word."  If we are not, perhaps we should examine how closely we are reading God's Word...John 15:1-10 also speaks of bearing fruit based on abiding in Him.  Our response to the Light should be to become doers of the Word and to bear fruit.  We are to "use the Word."    

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who gives me Your Word to know, love, obey and use the Word for Your glory.  Thank You Jesus!  I know I exist to bring You glory.  I am not deserving of how You saved me and give me Your Word to equip me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Often I fail to use the Light.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from and overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.