January 19, 2022 – Wednesday
Luke 8:16-18 NIV
16 “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.
17 For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.
18 Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them.”
Comment.
The three verses above have the title The Lamp on a Stand here in chapter eight, while in chapter 11:33-34 has the title The Lamp of the Body. Both begin the same but are dramatically different. Now let us look at today’s verses.
Consider the context, just prior to this told The Parable of the Sower (v4-15) and then immediately goes into the parable we call The Lamp on the Stand. Jesus has a large crowd around Him, hundreds, maybe thousands when He ends The Parable of the Sower saying, But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. Then in the very next verse He begins the parable of The Lamp on a Stand. We are not told if He took a break or even paused. Consider in verse 15 He is describing those with a noble and good heart are those who hear the word, then they retain it. And only then by persevering they produce a crop. The seed is the Word of God and those spoken of in verse 15 are fulfilling the purpose of the seed
Now consider verses 16-17, No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. Thus, those who receive the Word of God, to fulfill the purpose of the seed, are now accountable to make known and share the reality of the Word of God in their lives. The lamp (oil or candle) that has been set alight in us is the revelation of Jesus’ ministry. When Jesus said, For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, He was telling us just as light exposes His teaching reveals where people are and where they will be. Nothing will be concealed.
As a result, our responsibility is to share the word ourselves or share it by bringing others to places, church, bible studies, etc where they will hear it. About verse 18, David Guzik writes, It’s good to hear the word of God; it’s much better to take heed to how you hear. In this, Jesus warned His listeners to actively prepare the soil of their heart and mind, to judge themselves as hearers at least as much as they judge the preacher. The reference to actively prepare the soil of their heart and mindtakes us right back to the Parable of the Sower. Guzik adds, When we hear the word of God, and receive it with gladness, more will be given to us from God’s spiritual riches and Sometimes what people think they have spiritually, they only seem to have. We may know some of them, hopefully we are not one of them, going to church and or bible studies to look the part but really just going through the motions.
Bottom Line: The Word of God comes alive in us when we prepare the soil of our hearts and minds. In doing so God will add riches in more revelation and greater hunger and understanding of His Word. Further we are to be a light to those around us because of what He has done in our lives. I think Paul said it best in Galatians 5:6b, The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
Prayer: Almighty God, Thank You for the message that we are not only to receive the truth, but to share it as well. – In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
RileyD, nwJ
Riley D. Driver – Pastor
Calvary Chapel of Dayton
in Beavercreek