[Photo by Karren McPherson]
He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand? For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.” [Mark 4: 21-23 NIV]
This is a very short parable which is recorded in each of the three Gospels - Matthew, Mark and Luke. There are some differences in these account and Matthew adds an interpretation of the parable which is not recorded for us in this gospel. I am going to focus on the parable itself and see if there is a message for us in it. It is all about light and darkness and this is a well-known metaphor which we saw several times in John's Gospel. I will add some references at the end of the blog.
The parable deals with the siting of a lamp. The picture we have for today's blog is a modern, electric light. In its original context in the first century it would have been a flame from an oil lamp. It would have provided very little light and we would have found the interior of homes very dark compared with our lighted rooms. There would have been few windows and very little illumination from the small lamp. So this parable deals with the siting or positioning of this vital light in the interior of the home. Jesus makes the point that it makes no sense to hide this light. The darkness is so overpowering that the light must be effective and allowed to shine.
What is Jesus teaching in this parable? It follows the parable of the Sower when Jesus was answering the question the disciples had asked about why Jesus spoke in parables and he explained that one reason for speaking in parables was so that "outsiders" would not grasp the message of the kingdom. The parable of the Sower then illustrated the different responses to the seed which is the word of God. So this parable follows neatly on and looks at it from another angle - the parable of the Sower talked about the lack of growth from the seed and this was due to the soil - the response in the hearts of the hearers. Now Jesus looks at the lack of response to His teaching from another word picture - the light being hidden from those who were in darkness.
In its primary application, Jesus is speaking about the folly of trying to hide the light. This might well have been directed at the enemies of Jesus - the scribes and the Pharisees - who were attempting to hide the light of God in the person of God's Son. Here is how Jesus referred to them
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. [Matthew 23:13 NIV]
By their actions Jesus enemies were placing the lamp under a bowl or a bed. Jesus is making the point that the result of this would be that men and women would remain in darkness. The short parable perhaps hints that this light will not remain hidden indefinitely.
There is a reference to the effects of this light in exposing things that are hidden. The light brings hidden things into the open. I find it hard to find things in my garage - and the first thing I do is to switch on the light.
What is the point Jesus is making in this parable. In its context in Mark's Gospel it seems to relate to the message which Jesus was proclaiming. His Gospel was light in the darkness and it should not be hidden. It has the power to expose sinful hearts and sinful attitudes. But we need to allow this light to shine in our lives, our churches and our communities. The enemies of Jesus were attempting to hide this light. They were hiding it under a bowl or a bed. This negative attitude to the message of the Gospel still persists today. There are still many, even in nominal Christian circles, who want to hide the light of the Gospel.
Is there a message for us today in this parable? We can be part of the conspiracy to hide the light. By our silence or reluctance to tell others about the Saviour and the message of the Gospel, we are joining the Pharisees in their covering the light. Here are the words of an old hymn written by Harold Dixon Loes, an American Gospel songwriter who was associated with the Moody Bible Institute.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!
[Photo by Karren McPherson]
Here is the lesson which Matthew draws from the same parable
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
[Matthew 5:16 NIV]
This is a challenge to me today as I write this blog. Have I let my light shine before others? Have I been guilty of hiding my light under a cover or under a bed. The sad effect is that people remain in their darkness.
Here are some Biblical references related to this topic.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. [John 1:5 NIV]
He [John the Baptist] came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.
[John 1: 7 NIV]
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” [John 8:12 NIV]
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light [Ephesians 5:8]
[Photo by Karren McPherson]
Also Jn 3:20-21, Eph 5:8-13 - Covid brought a lot of things, for people and church, good and bad, into the light.