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The parable of the lamp The responsibility of the preacher Mark 4vv21-25
- Do not hide your light......everything will be revealed ultimately...vv21-23
Having considered the responses to the preaching, the Saviour now turns to the responsibility of the preacher. He makes a very pertinent observation....a lamp is not obtained for hiding away. God's word is said to be a lamp, a spiritual guide in a world of darkness(Psalm119v105). The truth, the light of God, such as the disciples are receiving is not given to be hidden away, it is to be displayed, as anyone would a lamp to light their way. Paul said to the Corinthians "...if our gospel be hid , it is hid to them that are lost!" 2 Cor.4v3. We. who have received light are to "shine as lights(luminaries) in the world, holding forth the word of life" Philippians 2vv15-16. We have no light in ourselves, but, just as the moon reflects the light of the sun during the dark hours so we are to reflect the light of the truth of God in our generation. Individually we are called lights(Matthew chapter 5), and , collectively the churches are termed "golden lampstands"(Revelation 1/2). Matthew wrote "A city set on a hill cannot be hid", so we are to display the light for the benefit of all It is clear, that from the balance of scripture, this will involve life as well as lip Ultimately all darkness will be exposed and dispelled "for there is nothing hid that shall not be manifested, neither anything kept secret that will not come abroad". Everything will be exposed, nothing hid, no secrets, so shine the light now, when it can actually do some good. Jesus adds a stark warning to all "...he that hath ears to hear, let him hear!" No less than seven separate occasions Jesus warns His disciples thus, just as He addresses the churches(the golden lampstands) in Revelation 2/3, also seven times. We are all, individually, and collectively, responsible to properly shine for God, and the day of judgment for all will come, whether assessment of service, or judicial punishment for sin. For our own sakes, and for the sake of a world in darkness we should spread the light abroad.
- Take care that what you preach, you practice.....vv24-25
"Take heed what you hear,,,,," Hearing and heeding are sometimes two different things. What we hear must become part of us. This teaching is expanded in the epistle of James; Christianity is the living testimony of the life of God within. We are not to be hearers of the word only, but doers. There is a danger we can become "sermon tasters"; Jesus said "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. The word is not that we are to witness, but that we are to be witnesses. What we hear must change us, we are to be "growing in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ". We are to abound in Christian graces more and more, not to stagnate in the little we have. God's truth is vibrant, it is living, it has the power to change behaviour. In the figure of the good ground, if we are producing fruit to 30He says-fold. we are to strive to 60, then to 100. Next He states the unalterable law of sowing and reaping...."...with(in) what measure ye mete it shall be measured to you again." When we speak the truth of God, we inevitably judge the lives of others, and by the measure that we judge others, we, ourselves will be judged. There is no occasion when the word is preached it will not cut across another's behaviour. The truth of God is not to be used as a stick to beat others, we must apply it to ourselves. There are two outcomes indicated by the Lord in this matter, and the warning by James the apostle is similar... "Become not many teachers, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation for in many things we all stumble in (R.V.)." James 3v1. We are all vulnerable and become responsible for the light of God we have. If we hear the word in such a way it becomes part of us, it changes us, then more will be given.."For he that hath (that is imbibing God's truth for better) to him shall be given." On the contrary "he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath." In plain modern language this is saying that in the things of the spirit we are either progressing or retrogressing. In the next paragraph we will learn more of how this works.
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