Mark 4: 21-25 (NLT)
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. For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” Then he added, “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given — and you will receive even more. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.”
Perhaps the greatest of human tragedies is this: a person who has been radically changed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ buries his new life rather than sharing it with the world.
“How can this happen?” we ask…
Is there any way that this is even possible? Why would anyone hold up the renewing and recreation of themselves? It’s hard to imagine the two thoughts running hand in hand through the same sentence, but here they are in the Scripture, coming out of the mouth of Jesus.
A light, by its very nature, is designed to shine, not only for its own behalf, but for others. It gives light to help us to see. Its warmth comforts us. Its presence sends the darkness fleeing. We become a light when Jesus enters our hearts and changes us from the inside out. All of the love, joy, peace, and hope ignited by the Holy Spirit creates a flame in us. This holy fire is designed not only to change us but to make us shine. We are to take the light we’ve been gifted with and share it with others. By doing so, we light up their path, comfort them in times of trouble, and helping them in resisting the darkness. If they seek the light of the Gospel, then our light blends with theirs to create an even brighter light.
Which leads us to the second thought in the reading. We will be given in the measure we give others. Translation: You give all you got to others and Jesus will give you all he’s got. What a promise! What a reward! Of course, there is the flip side. If you hide you light, or snuff it out by not sharing, you will lose the little you got. Walk in the light of God.
Shine on…
