Luke 8:16–18 (ESV)
A Lamp Under a Jar
16
“No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. 17 For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come
to light. 18 Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.”
I remember while at seminary,
we had an ice storm and we lost power for about 5 days with the outside temperature under 0 degrees. I kept the house warm with the fireplace, but it was a losing battle and the house on the last night was at 45 degrees. I studied using a kerosene
storm lamp. We had two of these lamps and the family gathered around the lamps at night. We were able to cook off the gas grill. Our frozen goods were thrown out into a snow bank on the house. The lamp was the light we lived off and it was
cherished. Here, Jesus uses a lamp in his teaching.
Jesus begins today’s teaching by telling a parable. He is teaching that once a person has been converted to Christianity, he is not to hide
it, but to let Christ shine and proclaim his good news to all the world. People will be watching and the light exposes the deeds or lack of deeds of those who claim to be Christians. The light exposes Christ, it also exposes us. We are to
shed the old ways and proclaim Christ: “17 For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.” To claim to be a Christian is to be exposed by our deed and
what we proclaim. If these are not exposed, then our faith will be taken away. "18 Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.”
I pray: O Lord, work in me and renew a clean heart, restore me and help me to be bold in my proclamation and my actions. I repent of my sins, and give thanks for your justification through forgiveness.
Help me in my sanctification of my daily walk and to share the gospel with everyone. Amen.