Let the Light Shine: Mark 4:21-23
“21) And He was saying to them, “A lamp is not brought to be put under a basket, is it, or under a bed? Is it not brought to be put on the lampstand? 22) For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything been secret, but that it would come to light. 23) If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”” Mark 4:21-23
This was most likely a reference to an oil lamp. Its intended purpose was to shine and give light. In modern times oil lamps have been replaced by electricity and light bulbs, but they have the same purpose of illuminating the darkness. The parable still applies.
So is Gods Word and the gospel. It is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. It exposes things hidden in darkness. God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. Jesus is the light of the world. The Holy Spirit brings to light things hidden in darkness. He exposes sin. Christians are called “the sons of light.” (See Ephesians 5:8-11) God intends us to shine in this dark world.
But there is a problem; lost people love the darkness rather than the light. (John 3:19-21) They want enough of the light of Jesus to sooth their conscience but not enough to interrupt their sinful living. Human society wants the message of God’s universal love, but they want to put a shade on His call to holiness and the warning of coming judgement.
So what has human civilization done? We have distorted the gospel. We redefined God. We have hidden truth under the veil of man made religion. We put the light of the gospel under bushel baskets with little cracks to give light only where it’s convenient and where we want it.
Many Christian’s try to do the same this. They try to control God, the gospel and the Holy Spirit. They try to hang onto the kingdom of darkness while selectively embracing the kingdom of light. It doesn’t work that way.
If you want the light, put it on the lamp stand. If you want to be set free by truth, accept the whole council of God. If you want Jesus and the gospel, expect to be exposed. If you want the Holy Spirit to shine in your life, be prepared for Him to radically change and heal you. Born-again Christian’s are expected to engage in daily “Son Bathing.” We are to walk in the light as He is in the light. (See 1 John 1:5-7)
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
“21) And He was saying to them, “A lamp is not brought to be put under a basket, is it, or under a bed? Is it not brought to be put on the lampstand? 22) For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything been secret, but that it would come to light. 23) If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”” Mark 4:21-23
This was most likely a reference to an oil lamp. Its intended purpose was to shine and give light. In modern times oil lamps have been replaced by electricity and light bulbs, but they have the same purpose of illuminating the darkness. The parable still applies.
So is Gods Word and the gospel. It is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. It exposes things hidden in darkness. God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. Jesus is the light of the world. The Holy Spirit brings to light things hidden in darkness. He exposes sin. Christians are called “the sons of light.” (See Ephesians 5:8-11) God intends us to shine in this dark world.
But there is a problem; lost people love the darkness rather than the light. (John 3:19-21) They want enough of the light of Jesus to sooth their conscience but not enough to interrupt their sinful living. Human society wants the message of God’s universal love, but they want to put a shade on His call to holiness and the warning of coming judgement.
So what has human civilization done? We have distorted the gospel. We redefined God. We have hidden truth under the veil of man made religion. We put the light of the gospel under bushel baskets with little cracks to give light only where it’s convenient and where we want it.
Many Christian’s try to do the same this. They try to control God, the gospel and the Holy Spirit. They try to hang onto the kingdom of darkness while selectively embracing the kingdom of light. It doesn’t work that way.
If you want the light, put it on the lamp stand. If you want to be set free by truth, accept the whole council of God. If you want Jesus and the gospel, expect to be exposed. If you want the Holy Spirit to shine in your life, be prepared for Him to radically change and heal you. Born-again Christian’s are expected to engage in daily “Son Bathing.” We are to walk in the light as He is in the light. (See 1 John 1:5-7)
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
