In verse 24-25 of Mark 4, Jesus is reminded us that His kingdom is vastly different from the kingdoms of the world. The world’s kingdoms essentially say, “the rich are in and the poor are out; the strong are in and the weak are out; the good are in and the bad are out.” However, Jesus’ kingdom says, “the humble are in and the proud are out.” It’s those who “pay attention to what [they] hear” and believe in the gospel who the “more will be added to.” In short, the kingdoms of this world are all about what you can do, whereas the kingdom of Jesus is all about what He does for us.
In verses 21-23, Jesus makes sure His disciples understand that though He’s set aside His glory by becoming a man—though He’s set aside His crown and people are rejecting Him—the crownless again shall be king. He is the Lamp that will be exalted for all to see, not hidden under a basket or bed. He was lifted up on the cross for our sins, from the dead for our salvation, back to heaven as our Advocate, and will finally be lifted up as the Lamp, shining in the new earth. “There we will see His face and never ever sin; there from the rivers of His grace drink endless pleasures in” (Isaac Watts).
