March, 2001

"No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light." Luke 8:16

Jesus just finished teaching the multitude about the Parable of the Sower (better to call it the Parable of the Soil). In order for us to understand what Jesus was trying to teach His disciples, we need to study Luke 8:4-18 as a whole unit. If you follow the chronological sequence, you would realize v. 16-17 is part of the answer to the question posted in v. 9. Since the disciples couldn’t capture the meaning of the parable, Jesus had to explain to them that the seed is the Word of God, and the different kinds of soil represent the different condition of the heart.

Many interpret v. 16-17 as a warning not to live a "double life." In other words, don’t be a hypocrite because there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed. Sooner or later, someone is going to find out the real person that you are. Though this is a timeless truth, yet it is not where we should draw the biblical support for this important truth.

Immediately following the explanation of the Parable of the Soil, Jesus challenged His disciples to not keep the truth of the Word of God to themselves. It is not logical to light a lamp and put it away in a jar or under a bed. The usefulness of the lamp is diminished with such an action. The purpose of a lamp is to help people see. The application of this is: Anyone who has been enlightened by the Light must make an effort to make known to others. It is God’s desire to disclose what was once hidden and to bring out into the open what was once concealed. What was once hidden and concealed was God’s plan of Salvation through Jesus Christ, and now it is revealed through His works and words. Therefore, as Christians, we are charged to bring this truth to the open so that those who come in can see the Light (Jesus Christ). We are the channels by which others can see the Light. What an important Mission the Lord has entrusted to us! This is Missions month, and may this be our personal challenge!

The final instruction is just as important as the challenge itself. Therefore consider carefully how you listen. In order to yield a crop a hundred times more than was sown, it will depend on "how" you listen. This is an attitude check!