Hello dearly beloved,
Today, let’s reflect on how the gospel is not meant to be hidden but rather revealed to all people:
And He was saying to them, “Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be put on the lampstand?”
— Mark 4:21
After explaining the parable of the sower, Jesus then uses another illustration, that of a lamp. He asks a rhetorical question: whether a lamp is meant to be placed under a basket or under a bed. The implied answer is, of course, “No.”
Here, the lamp symbolizes the gospel message, the word of God. This parallels what Jesus had previously illustrated in the parable of the sower. In that parable, He taught His disciples that the sower’s task is simply to sow the seed and let the seed do its work. Now, in this illustration, Jesus emphasizes that the disciples must go out and make the light visible. This concept also appears in the gospel of Matthew, where Jesus speaks of salt and light:
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how will it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.”
— Matthew 5:13-15
The expected response to believers being salt and light is that they must proclaim the gospel to the world:
“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
— Matthew 5:16
Next, Jesus explains that what was once hidden will be revealed. This also relates to how He often discouraged people from spreading news about Him, but after His death, burial, and resurrection, He commissioned His disciples to go out and share the gospel with everyone. Jesus says that all things hidden will eventually be made known:
“For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything been secret, but that it would come to light.”
— Mark 4:22
The apostle Paul frequently referred to the gospel as a mystery, one that was hidden but is now revealed, a message of hope:
“That is, the mystery which has been hidden from past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
— Colossians 1:26-27
At this point, as Jesus was explaining this illustration, He was essentially giving His disciples a promise about the future revelation of the complete gospel following His resurrection.
In the next verse, Jesus underscores the importance of what He is saying:
“If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”
— Mark 4:23
This expression should remind us of the parable of the sower, particularly the seed that fell beside the road, representing those who heard the word but did not understand. They “had ears but did not hear.” This echoes Isaiah’s prophecy:
“He said, ‘Go, and tell this people:
Keep on hearing, but do not understand;
Keep on seeing, but do not know.’”
— Isaiah 6:9
Jesus reinforces this idea in the following verse, urging them to be careful of what they listen to. This is especially crucial because they had heard the gospel and the message of redemption. For those who hear the message but do not act upon it, judgment awaits:
“And He was saying to them, ‘Beware what you listen to. By your standard of measure, it will be measured to you, and more will be given to you.’”
— Mark 4:24
However, there is also a reward for those who hear, obey, and respond to the gospel message, as they will receive even more.
In the following verse, we see that for those who reject the message, even the little they thought they had will be taken away:
“For whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him.”
— Mark 4:25
As believers, this should awaken us to the seriousness of obeying God’s word. There is a reward for obedience, but judgment for rejection.
Let us strive to be obedient to the word of God.
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