Not Holy Enough

Mark 4:34. In fact, in his public ministry he never taught without using parables; but afterward, when he was alone with his disciples, he explained everything to them.

I know I have read today’s verse before, but this morning something about it clicked. The verse said that Jesus spoke in parables. The dictionary defines a parable as, “ a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson, as told by Jesus in the Gospels.” We’re pretty clear on the concept of parables. Nothing earth shaking so far.

The end of the verse says that when he was alone with his disciples he explained everything to them.

The disciples didn’t get it the first time! Jesus had to explain the parables and their meanings to the disciples. The disciples weren’t men with a lot of college degrees. They weren’t men picked for their spiritual insight or holiness.

They were regular folks, just like you and me.

They followed Jesus and learned as they went. They didn’t know it all when they first started following Jesus, they didn’t know anything. They just knew they were following the right man.

How many times have we used a lack of knowledge, or a lack of holiness to keep us from serving God? Sure, you may not know everything, but, like the disciples, you will learn. When Peter met a man who needed healing he didn’t say, “Well, I would love really love to help you, but I’m not holy enough yet.” Or, “I’m really not real well-versed in the healing portion of ministry…”

No, he said, “In the name of Jesus Christ, walk!” Peter knew he wasn’t doing it, God was. Peter knew he had no power, but he also knew God had an infinite supply!

So the next time you are given a chance to do something for God, don’t shrink from it. Embrace it! Remember that is is not you who is doing it anyway, it is God!