The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 1 — Section 172

truth, made a secret of it, enclosed it like a jewel in a casket. Dut it was never intended that the truth should remain concealed; the intention was that it should be mani- fested, that it should come to light (ver. 22). And, as a matter of fact, the figurative and pictorial form has served to display and illumine rather than to hide the great truths of Christianity. To how many simple, childlike minds have the parables of our Lord Jesus brought home lessons of wisdom, grace, hope, and consolation I And what materials for reflection, what profound spiritual help and illumination, ho.ve they afforded to the thoughtful student of the Word I .And what themes for the teacher, the preacher, the expositor, have these parables ever been found I They are "a mystery;" but a mystery is a truth once hidden but now made clear and published abroad. Ill. IN FACT, PARABOLIO TEACHING IS DARKNESS TO THE UNSPmITUAL .AND LIGHT TO THE sPmITUA.L. Like all good things, it may be used and it may be abused. Wheu Christ speaks, there are those who do not perceive, who do not understand. Is this the fault of the Word? No, it is the fault of their own inattentive, unreceptive, unsym- pathizing nature. It is they, the hearers, who are to blame ; not the truth which they will not appreciate (ver. 12). Yet are there those "who have ears to hear;" and these hear. To them the Word is as music, satisfying their souls, bringing to them the thoughts of the Divine mind, the love of the Divine heart, the Becret of the Divine purposes. To them it is said, " Happy are your ears, for they hear In IV. CHRISTIANS LE.ARN THE MYSTERY TB.AT THEY MAYPUJILISH IT. Speaking especially t.o his apostles, but through them to all who receive the gospel, our Lord bids those who welcome and value the truth to proclaim it far and wide. It is light intended for the world's illumination; let it be set up on high, that all in this great dark house of humanity may see their way to God. It is meal for the hungering multitude; let it be dealt forth to every applicant with no sparing hand, no grudging heart. There i11 light enough for all who are in darkness; bread enough for all who are in danger of starving. It is the office of the members of Christ's Church to hold forth the light of life, to take of the food and, as it multiplies in their hands, to give to the vast multi- tude in the barren wilderness. V. WE .All.E ACCOUNT.ABLE BOTH FOB THE WAY IN WHICH WE RECEIVE .AND FOB THE WAY IN wmou WE IMl'.ABT D:rvn."E TRUTH. 1. "Take heed what and how ye hear." It is unprofitable and wrong to offer a willing ear to every teacher, to all tidings. On the other hand, it is folly and sin to turn away from him who speaketh from heaven, or to listen to him with inattention, with unconcern, with unsympathizing, unbelieving hearts. 2. "With what measure ye mete it shall be measured unto you." Be faithful, be diligent, fulfil your trust with zeal and wisdom, display benevolence towards the untaught and the unblessed, and you shall receive more-more of truth and more of spiritual enrichment and joy. On the other hand, the selfish, the unpitying, the unfaithful, shall gain nothing by spiritual niggardliness; from them shall be taken away even that which they have. Vers. 26-29.-Spiritual growth. There are common truths and a common interpre- tation underlying this and several other parables. In all this group the seed is the Word of God, the soil is the heart of man, the life is the spiritual history and develop- ment, the fruit is Christian character, and the harvest is eternal result and retribution. But the peculiar lesson of this parable is the nature of spiritual growth. It this case it is presumed that the seed is sown in good soil. L IT IB HIDDEN, AND CANNOT BE TRACED AND WATCHED. Until it is deposited in the ground, seed may be beheld and examined by the eye. But then it is covered up and concealed, and germinates and begins to grow beneath the surface. In like manner you may see the truth as written, you may hear it as spoken; but when once it gets into the heart, germinates, and goes to its work, the preacher and teacher fail to follow it, and altogether lose sight of it. In the silent soul the Divine seed works in secret, lives, strives, moves, grows. Probably those reared in Christian homes cannot recollect when the truth, quickened by the Spirit, first began to live in them. Certainly you can only very dimly follow the process of growth in others. Years pass; the youth grows into the man, goes about daily duty, takes nightly rest, and all the while the hidden seed is living and developing slowly tJr swiftly, but unperceived even by those who planted it, How little, in some instances, preachers and teachers and parents can follow the Word, as it OR. IV. 1--41.] THE GOSPEL AOOORDING TO ST. MARK. 167