Studies Mark 4:25 For he that has, to him shall be given: and he that has not, from him shall be taken even that which he has. What ye hear heed. Not without purpose our Lord spoke of hearing. All success on the part of the teacher depends upon attention on the part of the hearer. Though Noah, Moses, Paul, or even Jesus speak, no benefit to careless hearer. Whoso has a great truth to impart has a right to claim a hearing — how much more He who is the Truth. Consider — I. THE ESPECIAL EVILS AGAINST WHICH MEN MUST GUARD IN HEARING THE WORD ARE THREE: — 1. Losing the Word before faith has made it fruitful (Luke 8:11). The peril is, it may be lost before it is fruitful. It may be taken out of the heart. 2. A merely temporary faith. 3. Fruitlessness of Word through cares, deceit of riches, lust of other things (vers. 18, 19; Luke 8:14). II. THE REWARD OF FAITHFUL HEARING (vers. 20-25; Luke 8:15). The lot of the seed describes the lot of him who receives it. "Let him that hath" — as the fruit of his using — this his own increase; "shall more be given" — this the Lord's increase (cf. parable of talents). Every attainment of truth a condition of meetness to gain other and deeper truth. So in all study and acquisition. Truth grows to its perfection in the "good" "honest." III. CONDEMNATION OF HIM WHO HEARETH NOT TO PROFIT. "Him that hath not" — hath nothing more than was first given to him. From him shall even that be taken. Anyone can "have" what is given; only the diligent have more. 1. The condemnation assumes the form of a removal of truth (Matthew 13:13-15). It is naturally forgotten by him who does not use his understanding upon it. Disregarded truth (and duty) becomes disliked truth. 2. In carelessness he puts it away from him. His measure is small; he metes it to himself. The eye not trained to see beauties and harmonies of form fails to see them: so the ear music, and the hand skilfulness. 3. To hear is a duty; to neglect duty brings God's condemnation. 4. He who does not receive the kingdom of heaven is ipso facto in the kingdom of evil. Continued departures from truth and duty leave the man farther from God, truth, heaven. 5. All truth is in parables. History the parable of Providence. Ordinances the parables of grace. The attentive see not only the parable, but the "things" also; the inattentive see only the parable, not the things (John 10:6). 6. Even Christ and His work and His gospel may be mere parables, outward things. Men seeing see not, their hearts being gross, their ears dull of hearing, and their eyes closed.We see — 1. The terrible and to be dreaded consequence of not heeding the Word: it becomes a parable, a dark saying, a riddle. 2. But the mercifulness of Him who would hide truth in a beautiful parable, to tempt if possible the careless to inquire, that they may be saved. (Studies.) Parallel Verses KJV: For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath. |
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