Mark 4:21-25 Jesus, the Lord, the Light, the Lantern

Mark 4:21-25

21 And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick? 22 For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. 23 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. 24 And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. 25 For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.

Introduction

Context is key to understanding the parable

in light of chapters 3&4.

Jesus keeps hidden from some who He is

Why he has come

Partially revealed

Partially obscured by the the darkness of sin

Jesus uses parables to speak the Word to all

All have the opportunity to hear the life giving truth

The sower sows the seed on all soil

Regardless of the soil potential to yield fruit

Expecting a response from all

The Pharisees heard the Word and seen the miracles

But did not receive it in faith

The crowds that followed Jesus also, heard and seen

But the vast majority also did not receive it in faith

We come now to vs 21 and the parable of light

We understand that the “candle “ is Jesus referring to Himself

Jesus is addressing the current situation

Both 2000 years ago

And also today

Jesus is the light shining on all people

Jesus and His gospel message for all to see

But not all will see what is right in front of them

Jesus Christ

The Lord

The Light

The Lantern

What do we learn about this supernatural light here in this passage?

Three things to consider

Light reveals

Light heals

Light compels

Light reveals

21 And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick? 22 For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.

Light is designed to be visible and make everything around it visible

To be placed high up for the benefit of everyone in the room

In the same way Jesus is meant to be lifted up, exalted

So that He is revealed to us in all His glory

That the truth may shine in our darkened hearts

So that we can look around the room and see the clutter and garbage of sin

In our lives

In our hearts

Jesus the Lord, the Light, the Lantern is lifted up

For the benefit of us all

Light heals

Light can heal

Vitamin D

When your skin is exposed to sunlight, it makes vitamin D from cholesterol. The sun’s ultraviolet B (UVB) rays hit cholesterol in the skin cells, providing the energy for vitamin D synthesis to occur.

Vitamin D has many roles in the body and is essential for optimal health (2).

For example, it instructs the cells in your gut to absorb calcium and phosphorus — two minerals that are essential for maintaining strong and healthy bones (3Trusted Source).

On the other hand, low vitamin D levels have been linked to serious health consequences, including:

Osteoporosis

Cancer

Depression

Muscle weakness

Death

In addition, only a handful of foods contain significant amounts of vitamin D.

These include cod liver oil, swordfish, salmon, canned tuna, beef liver, egg yolks and sardines. That said, you would need to eat them nearly every day to get enough vitamin D.

Uses of light in medicine

Ultraviolet (UV) Light

UV light, ranging from 100–400 nanometers (nm), is divided into three categories¹:

UV-A (320–400 nm): Penetrates the dermis; used in phototherapy for conditions like psoriasis and vitiligo. Prolonged exposure can cause skin aging and increase cancer risk.

UV-B (290–320 nm): Penetrates the epidermis; effective in treating skin conditions by slowing cell growth. Also administered in controlled doses to prevent sunburn and lower cancer risk.

UV-C (100–290 nm): Primarily used for sterilization due to its germicidal properties. Science has shown 208-210 nm range has strong germicidal effects, able to inactivate bacteria and viruses on skin without harming human tissue.²

Visible Light (VL)

Visible light takes up the 400–700 nm spectrum and is perceived as different colors, each offering unique therapeutic benefits¹:

Blue light (440–500 nm): Penetrates the upper dermis; effective for neonatal jaundice and acne. Antibacterial properties also help eliminate bacteria on the skin's surface.

Green light (500–570 nm): Penetrates the upper dermis and is used to treat pigmentation issues by targeting melanocytes.

Yellow light (570–590 nm): Penetrates the dermis and is known for its ability to stimulate collagen production, improve skin texture and also has a calming effect on the nervous system.

Red light (620–750 nm): Penetrates the dermis and subcutaneous tissue, known for anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties.

Infrared (IR) Light

Infrared light ranges from 700 nm to 1 mm and is categorized into three types¹:

Near-Infrared (NIR) light (700–1.400 nm): Penetrates muscles, nerves, and bones, and can be effective for pain management and deep tissue repair.

Mid-Infrared (MIR) light (1,400–3,000 nm): Provides thermal benefits; used in therapies requiring moderate heat.

Far-Infrared (FIR) light (3,000 nm–1 mm): Penetrates surface layers of the skin, providing gentle heating beneficial for circulation and reducing stiffness.

Light essential for life

Parable of the seed and the sower

Sun needed to sustain life

Photosynthesis

The gospel of Jesus Christ also heals

The prognosis (sin)

The cure (Jesus)

Jesus Christ , Lord, Light, Lantern

Reveals our sin

Provides us a cure

Offers healing

Light compels

23 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. 24 And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. 25 For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.

The truth revealed demands an answer

We are compelled to respond to the Gospel

To the person of Jesus Christ

To the truth of who we are

To the truth of who He is

It may me partially hidden

We might not have all the answers

But we have enough light

Enough revelation

Enough truth

To make an informed decision

To come out of the darkness and into the light

Conclusion

Jesus is the light being placed on the candlestick

He will not be hid forever

One day every knee will bow, every tongue confess

He has been and is even now lifted up as to draw all people to him

We have seen the light, heard the gospel

A response is mandatory

Invitation

How will you respond to the light of the Gospel?

Will you accept Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, the Lantern of life?

Or will you reject Him?