Mark

Chapter 4:21-25 (ESV) - And he said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand? For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”

Question to consider: What does the lamp represent in Jesus’ parable?

Jesus’ first parable spoke about the going out of God’s word to people with varying levels of understanding and a willingness to hear and accept the it in order that they may turn and be forgiven. Today’s parable would appear to be an extension of this. Psalm 119 is an expression of David’s love for the Law of God. In verse 105 of this Psalm, David called God’s word “a lamp to [his] feet and a light to [his] path.”

Because God’s word had created an abundant and abiding faith, our reaction to it should be to proclaim it boldly and widely for everyone to witness. Like Buddy the Elf once said, “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!” Though Buddy was heralding the good work of Santa Claus, the true word that we proclaim is that which points to Christ and His good work for us. We don’t hide the word of God under a basket or a bed but let its light shine brightly on a stand.

All of that which was shrouded in mystery in the Old Testament has now been made manifest in Christ. We can with great confidence proclaim salvation in Christ, for there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.

The receiving of God’s word requires that we use it – that we let it conform us to the image of Christ and that we proclaim what we know to others. If you desire an abundant and abiding faith, the key is to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ. Every day we can choose whether to fill our minds with the things of God or the cares of this world. May God continue to grow our hunger for His word.

Prayer

Dear heavenly Father, thank You for providing us with the steady light of Your word to make our paths straight in a world that continually tries to turn us away from You. Fill us with the love of Christ so that it may overflow to those around us. Amen.