Daily Bible Plan - Mark 4

23. October 2025

Devotion by Deaconess Sarah

Theme: Kingdom of God - Mark 4:21-41

Fortified City Church / Love City Church / Basel French Assembly / Luzern City Fellowship / ⁠PIWC Bern / ⁠Global prayer family

Yesterday we saw that the Word of God works like a seed and produces a hundredfold growth. Today we want to look at more parables from Mark 4 – and also discover how Jesus is Lord over wind and waves.

The Parable of the Oil Lamp (Mark 4:21–25)

Jesus says, “A lamp is not lit to be put under a bed or under a basket. It is placed on a lampstand so that its light may shine throughout the room.”This parable also applies to your life and mine: whoever has received God’s light – His truth, love, and grace – should not hide it but let it shine (see Matthew 5:14).

In verse 22, Jesus reminds us: “Everything that is hidden will be brought to light. In the measure that you listen to my words, God will give you understanding – and even more.” The more we receive God’s Word into our lives, the brighter the light within us will shine. Whoever lives in this way becomes a witness to others.

This parable leads us directly to another theme: growth. God’s light within us works like the sun for a seed: it causes the small seed to sprout, grow, and finally become something great – just like the tiny mustard seed that becomes a large tree. In the same way, God’s work unfolds in our lives.

Trusting in the Growth of God’s Kingdom

a) The Parable of the Growing Seed (Mark 4:26–29). Jesus tells of a farmer who sows seed, then sleeps and rises again – and the seed grows by itself. God is the one who brings the growth. In our life of faith, we sow through prayer, reading the Bible, and living out our faith. But the growth is in God’s hands (see 1 Corinthians 3:6). We can trust that God’s Word will bear fruit – even when we don’t see the results immediately.

b) The Parable of the Mustard Seed (Mark 4:30–32). The mustard seed is tiny, yet it grows into a mighty tree where the birds of the air can nest. The beginning may be small and insignificant – and yet it unfolds into an impressive reality. As Zechariah 4:10 says: “Who despises the day of small beginnings?” Even the small steps are important, for in God’s hands every beginning becomes something significant.These two parables connect beautifully with the example of the lamp: God’s work begins, and His light and growth cannot be stopped. Whoever trusts Him experiences His power, and His Kingdom expands within us.

Jesus – Lord over Wind and Waves (Mark 4:35–41)

After these parables, Jesus and His disciples cross the lake. Suddenly a storm breaks out, and the disciples panic. But Jesus sleeps and then commands the storm, “Peace! Be still!” – and immediately there is calm.Jesus shows us: The Lord who gives growth is also Lord over every storm. At every moment we may trust that God watches over us: “Indeed, He who watches over Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps” (Psalm 121:4).

Psalm 46:1–2 reminds us: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.”

This chapter teaches us:

· Faith grows – at all times.

· What is small becomes great in God’s hand.

· Jesus is Lord over every situation.

Let us meditate today on this verse:“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5)