Mark 4:21-25 "Turn on the Light"

James Reed's FORGE

Today, we are going to get into the parable of the lamp. This parable comes right after the parable from last week’s sermon, the parable of the sower. Last week we learned that some are able to receive the message of Jesus, and some are not. There’s an implication here that the mystery of the kingdom of God is already revealed by Jesus, and those willing to embrace it, receive it. The verses we’re covering today are given more extensive treatment in Matthew 25:14-30 which is where we find the parables of the talents. There is also a similar parable of the 10 minas found in Luke 19:11-27. Again, taken together these passages clarify that embracing the kingdom of heaven means we act in obedience, according to the purposes of God.

There are words and ideas used by our Lord in our text today that He used repeatedly on many different occasions. What Jesus says here about the lamp being put under a basket or under a bed is found again in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus tells us that, “…there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light.” He also cautions us that whatever measure we use, will be the measure for us. Both of these concepts are found in Matthew, but in both cases in an entirely different context from the passage today’s text from Mark. I think one reason for our Lord repeating these things so often and in different ways, is because He knew He’d be dealing with people like me. Sometimes, I just don’t get it. Sometimes, I need to hear it again, so that I may hear Him without my stubborn traditions.