February 23

In Mark 4:12, Jesus is quoting Isaiah 6:9-10 which if we are not careful, can create a misperception of God. Why would God not want others to understand? Why would God not want everyone to have complete and full revelation of who He is and His plan for their lives? Philippians 3:16 is a great example of this principle, paraphrased it means that we are expected to live up to whatever truth has been revealed to us. We understand Mark 4:12 in light of this principle, and now instead of viewing God as callous, we see Him as perfect grace. He knows the heart of every person (Hebrews 4:12). If we knows that they are going to reject the revelation He will bring to them, out of His mercy and grace, He may withhold it to lessen the judgment that would come upon them otherwise.

Now, what about the last part of the verse in Mark. Doesn't it seem to imply a different motivation. Doesn't it appear to say that God might withhold revelation so they will not repent? We must always understand the Bible in light of itself. If we find verses that appear to at odds with one another, the problem is never in Scripture but rather in our understanding. 2 Peter 3:9 states that God's desire is that no one perish and not have the opportunity to come to full repentance and be reconciled to Him as their Creator and Heavenly Father. So how do we understand the latter half of Mark 4:12?

I believe that Jesus here is comparing two paths, the first part of the verse is speaking to how people may still rebel after they know better so God withholds revelation to minimize their judgment and that the latter half of the verse is speaking not to God's motivation but rather the alternative choice of the person. We should read it this way, "When they see what I do, they learn nothing. When they hear what I say, they will not understand (thus I will not bring more revelation to people I know are just going to rebel). Otherwise, they will turn to me and be forgiven (then there are other people who have a heart that defers to me so that when I bring revelation to them, they repent and further submit their lives to me and oh how I long for all people to be this way instead of the former).

Which one are you, am I?

Pastor Fred