Light of the world

Introduction

We all have a responsibility to proclaim the truth of the gospel both individually and corporately. The biblical truth about Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of God, is not something to be hidden. It must be fully disclosed to the world. The life we now live is a life given to us by Jesus, who is life; the light of man and the true light that gives light to all humanity. Because of the life given to us, through Jesus, we too are the light of the world, revealing truth through both teaching and good works so others will see it and glorify God. Through various teachings and parables, Jesus illustrated this truth and the importance of our calling as light-bearers in a dark world. Today, I want us to look at the parable, a lamp on a stand in Mark 4:21-25. Before reading, let us interpret the meaning of the passage in light of its historical-cultural context.

John Mark, cousin of Barnabas, wrote the book between 55-59 AD. It was likely written to persuade Gentile readers in Rome that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God and that his account of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection proves his claim. Within the immediate context, Jesus sat in a boat and taught the crowd many things in parables, one of them being the parable of the sower. You will find parallel teachings in the gospel’s of Matthew and Luke (Mt 5:14-16; 10:26; 7:2; 13:12 and Lk 8:16-18). Except in Mark’s account, there is a tone of secrecy and the disciples clearly lacked understanding. In his gospel account, Jesus would often tell those He healed to not tell anyone, and on many occasions the disciples were described as dull in their understanding. Nevertheless, Jesus took the time to explain the many parables to the disciples because they were expected to reveal the truths that were hidden, or the secrets of the kingdom, to those who could not understand. Jesus used the parable of a lamp on a stand as one parable to explain the disciples purpose. So let us look to at Mark 4:21-25

Mark 4:21–25 ESV

And he said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand? For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”

Initially, this passage seems disjointed. Jesus is talking about a lamp, disclosing what is hidden, and finally the measure of things being given or taken. Again, each idea is parallel to teachings found in Matthew and Luke. Nevertheless, the main idea of the parable is the disciples are responsible for revealing the secrets of the kingdom of God.

The absurdity of the questions (v 21): First, Jesus draws the disciples attention to their purpose by using a ridiculous illustration. What is the purpose of light? If one lights a lamp, the purpose of doing so is to see in darkness. No one lights a lamp and then covers it. Covering a light will extinguish the flame. Nor does anyone light a lamp and place it under a bed. Especially, the beds they slept in because majority of their beds were mats laid on the floor. To hide a light under a bed would mean you stand the chance of burning the bed and yourself. Therefore, a lamp is lit and placed on a stand, so everyone can see.

Revelation of truth (v 22): In verse 22, Jesus elaborates on the usage of a lamp. He says nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light. In other words, Jesus is saying nothing is hidden except to make it clear/reveal; nor is anything secret except to be made visible/evident/or known. “Light” within this context means to bring in the open or make public. That is the purpose of being a lamp on a stand. To reveal the hidden truth or secrets of the kingdom. As we will see later, light is used in reference to exposing the darkness in one’s heart and evil actions as well.

Attentiveness to the message (vv 23-24a): There are two statements given by Jesus--“If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear” and “Pay attention to what you hear.” These are important statements because it is a call for both discernment and special attention to what is spoken. Matter of fact, the proper rendering for “pay attention” is to take care of what you hear, which is important to what Jesus stated in the remaining half of verse 24 and 25.

Stewardship of the truth (vv 24b-25): The disciples are commanded to take care of what they hear because what is being taught is extremely important. The truth is in itself a precious treasure because it reveals the true treasure—Jesus Christ. Essentially, the truth or light the disciples are given points to the source of light in Jesus Christ. Those that take care of the truth are expected to be good stewards by revealing the truth to the world. Hence, the measure that is used will be measured back, and still more will be added. Those that do not proclaim the truth, do not have and what they do have will be taken.

What happens to an artist or pianist if they stop using their skills?

I want to note the word “measure” is used in other teachings of Christ but in the context of judging (Matt 7:2; Lk 6:37-38).

Implications for Us

Jesus is the Light of the World: As stated before, our life is in Christ Jesus, who is the life that brings light to all humanity. There are biblical passages used in the OT to identify God as a lamp or His word as a lamp/light. For example,

2 Samuel 22:29 ESV

For you are my lamp, O Lord, and my God lightens my darkness.

2 Kings 8:19 ESV

Yet the Lord was not willing to destroy Judah, for the sake of David his servant, since he promised to give a lamp to him and to his sons forever.

Psalm 119:105 ESV

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Psalm 132:17 ESV

There I will make a horn to sprout for David; I have prepared a lamp for my anointed.

And this points us to Jesus because He too is identified a light and He Himself says He is the Light of the World. John’s gospel states:

John 1:1–13 ESV

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

John 3:19–21 ESV

And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

John 8:12 ESV

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

We have the light of life in us. Therefore, we are the light of the world that reveals Jesus.

He is the light in his very nature. The Christian receives light from Him, so the world is to see Jesus in us (HH, Mt comm)

We (church) are the light of the world: Although each one of us received the gift of a new life in Jesus Christ, being a light to the world is identified as a corporate obligation. That does not absolve us of proclaiming the truth on a personal scale. Instead, it brings to light how important we are as a community. One of the most glorious attributes of God is His faithfulness. God’s plan for His people has always been for them to be a light to the nations. Let us look at some OT passages

Isaiah 42:6 ESV

“I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations,

Isaiah 49:6 ESV

he says: “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”

Hear what Jesus says in Matthew 5 in giving the Sermon on the Mount.

Matthew 5:14–16 ESV

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Look at the usage of the terms “You” and “town” or “city” in some versions. These are corporate terms. The light of life we have is one that illuminates the world and is visible beyond the horizon of the sky. Mountains, hills, and trees are areas believed by the ancients to be the dwelling place or place of meeting for the divine. Abraham encountered God by a tree and Moses on a mountain. How does that relate to us? Corporately, the scriptures says we, in unity, are the body of Christ. Think about this: Individually, we are the dwelling place for God (1 Co 6:19); corporately, we are the fullness of Christ (1 Co 12:27; Eph 4:12-13). Our unity in Jesus Christ is as if Jesus, Himself, is bringing life and light to the world.

Isaiah 52:7 ESV

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”

So, let our light shine so others can see:

This is a command to not only preach the gospel but to live it as well.

“By sharing truth, one shows his ability to receive truth and use more truth (proper stewardship); truth unused or unshared slips away” (Hershel Hobbs, The Commentary: Matthew, p 69) So, those who learn and then pass on to others what they have learned more will be given.

“The Christian is to shine in such beauty that men shall recognize that he is shining with a light greater than himself. Thus they will glorify the Father which is in heaven” (Hershel Hobbs, The Commentary: Matthew, 69).

Conclusion

I conclude with this quote from J.R. Edwards in the Gospel according to Mark commentary: "Those who hear, those who knock until the door is opened, will find the kingdom disclosed to them. But those of hurried search, whose knock at the door of life is tentative or brief, will find a once joyous invitation to enter the kingdom to have faded into a mirage of disbelief. In particular, the saying invites application to Jesus, for the same verb (“given”; Gk. didomi) links the giving of the kingdom in v. 11 with v. 25. Those to whom the mystery of the kingdom of God is given in Jesus will receive even greater capacity to enter it. On the other hand, those who fail to receive the mystery in Jesus will discover that “even what he has will be taken from him” (see Prov 1:5–6; 9:9).”

Edwards, J. R. (2002). The Gospel according to Mark (p. 141). Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: Eerdmans; Apollos.