Written ~ 02-13-2024
Read Mark Chapter Four
Mark 4
Verses 4:21-23
21 Then Jesus asked them, “Would anyone light a lamp and then put it under a basket or under a bed? Of course not! A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine. 22 For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light.
23 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”
Chapter four of Mark is filled with several parables, but this particular one, each of us need to learn from its meaning.
As believers we are to be the Light of Jesus who resides within us. That Light is to draw those who are seeking the Lord, to find the way. Not only is it to be a guide to the truth, but the Light also exposes the truth.
What could be a reason to put a light under a basket or have it hidden under a bed? Maybe it’s because the light will expose those things in our lives that we don’t want anyone else to see? When we hide evil in our hearts and knowingly bury the light so the truth of our hearts can’t be exposed, eventually, those things will make themselves known. It’s better to put the light on the table and let it shine. Let that light shine so brightly that nothing can escape it. That way all of our hurt, pain, anger, all of our wicked ways can be exposed and taken care of…
Verse 4:22 says,
22 “For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light.”
We can’t hide anything from the Lord, we are highly mistaken if we think by putting the light under a basket or by having it hidden that we can get away with what is rotting deep within our souls. In Matthew 15 we learned that the words we speak from our hearts will show what evil is lurking. Verse 15:18 says, “But the words you speak come from the heart – that’s what defiles you.”
So, we might as well get it over with! Take that lamp out of hiding, light the wick and let it shine brightly. Exposing the things we have hidden will cause such a great release of pressure, maybe it’s a pressure we didn’t even know we had. It’s possible we have hidden dark thoughts and feelings for so long that we didn’t think they were still there. That’s what the Light of Jesus does. Once we allow it to shine in those areas, we can be cleansed, thoroughly and completely.
“…every secret will be brought to light…”
It could be that you don’t want your secrets exposed. But guess what, when you give your life over to Jesus, the Holy Spirit is going to do a magnificent work in your life. You may not think you want to expose your secrets, but as you study the Word of God and find out more about living a godly life, those secrets will become such a burden to you that you will do anything to get rid of them.
As the Light of Jesus shines on the things you need to confess, the brighter His Light will shine through you! If you are still holding onto sin and doubt, your light will continue to be hidden under a basket. It’s time to uncover whatever is holding you back and let that light shine!
Jesus said in verse 4:23,
23 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”
Open your heart and mind to the things Jesus is telling you. It might be He is speaking to you right now. He is asking you to expose your heart to Him and release the pressure by placing those really difficult things in His hands so He can take them from you. Jesus wants us to listen to His voice, He wants us to understand what the Word of God is saying. Open your eyes, open your ears and get ready for your light to shine more brightly than it ever has before!
~AMEN~