Luke 8: 16-18 Lamp on a Stand
“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. 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.”
Luke 8:19-21 Jesus’ Mother and Brothers
“Now Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.” He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”
Jesus is continuing to lay out the principles of God’s Kingdom. Here in a few short sentences, Jesus outlines several major facts: first, if we have the good news of the Kingdom of God, we must share it as widely as possible, second, nothing is hidden that will not be revealed, third, those who seek Kingdom knowledge will be given even more, and fourth, if we hear God’s word and do it, Jesus will count us as part of his family.
“Let your light shine!” Culturally, I have some problems with this concept. I am a Swedish American from the Middle West. When I was growing up in the 1950’s and 1960’s, modesty was considered a prime virtue and self-promotion was frowned upon. When my mother sang soul-stirring solos in church, people looked appreciative, but nobody clapped because we believed only God should be glorified in church. I was not raised to expect exuberant praise for my efforts. These days, people applaud, encouraging those who have shared their talents., and frankly, it feels good to be appreciated. Sometimes kids even get trophies just for participation. But Jesus is not advising us to promote ourselves but to spread the good news of the Gospel by glorifying God in everything we do so that people will take heart and praise God along with us.
As Jesus is speaking, he is modeling this principle. Jesus is traveling throughout the country teaching, preaching, healing, and encouraging the downtrodden by being with them. People are swarming from every corner of the countryside to hear Jesus teach and to see the miracles he performs. And the disciples are learning how to let their lights shine. The light Jesus kindles will eventually spread throughout the world.
“There is nothing that is hidden that will not be revealed.” The speed of darkness is the speed of light. When God’s light enters a situation, darkness must go; it has no choice. Somehow, many people feel they can be sneaky and get away with things and nothing will happen. What a ridiculous notion! God is omniscient, all-knowing, omnipresent, always present, and omnipotent, all-powerful. God knows our thoughts even before we do. How can we possibly hide anything from an almighty God?
“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.” At first, this statement sounds quite harsh. Why should God take away knowledge from people who don’t have it in the first place? The key is humility. Proverbs 15:22 says that “Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established.” God is the only One who has ultimate knowledge; the rest of us need wise counsel from many different sources. When we are willing to listen to only a handful of people, we open ourselves up to those who will say anything to curry favor with us. We can jump to wrong conclusions and take terrible decisions that may affect many people, all because we refused to seek out several wise counselors. In the end, we will wind up more poorly-informed than we were in the beginning and we will appear quite foolish.
“He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.” WOW! Here Jesus is claiming all of us who hear God’s word and do it as close relatives. This concept is mind-blowing and encouraging at the same time. Many of us may have grown up in situations with little love or affection. Some people have survived horrible abusive childhoods. And there are always those whose relatives, for reasons of their own, refuse to come close or to be affectionate. Here Jesus is assuring us that when we hear God’s word and practice it, he will regard us as brothers and sisters and mothers.
Jesus is inviting all of us to enter the Kingdom of God, to listen and learn, and to spread God’s light to the world by everything we say and do. When we follow Jesus, others around us will see our good works borne of love and desire to follow him as well. Let us be careful so that we will be good advertising for God’s Kingdom in everything we do.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to follow closely after You all the days of our lives. Let Your love shine through everything we do, so that others will want to follow You as well. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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