In two previous blogs (see here and here), I pointed out that the Lord uses the illustration of lighting a lamp and placing it on a lampstand. Nobody would light a lamp and hide it under a bed. I argued that we miss a little of the illustration’s meaning because we didn’t live in the first century. We probably think that it would, of course, be illogical to hide a lamp under a bed. But the Lord means more. Placing a lamp on a lampstand would direct the people in the house toward the light. When they are surrounded by darkness, the lamp allows people to see.
The Lord employs this illustration frequently in His ministry. He uses it in different contexts. But the point He makes about the light is the same. People in darkness can see the light, and it can reveal what they would not otherwise see. In this and the following blog, I will discuss two more instances in which the Lord uses this illustration.
In Matt 5:14-16, the lamp is the life of the obedient disciple. In Mark 4:21-23, the Lord uses the same illustration in a completely different context. He is talking to disciples, but they are not the lamp. The Lord has begun speaking in parables. This might lead a disciple to believe that the Lord is keeping secrets from him.
But the Lord explains the parables to the disciples (vv 10-11). He wants them to understand. They may think that the spiritual truths of the parable are hidden and they are in the dark. The Lord had just given the Parable of the Four Soils (4:3-8). The disciples had many questions. Why was the Lord speaking to them in that way?
In 4:13-20, the Lord explained the parable to them. He told them that the different soils represent the various kinds of responses people will have towards His words. Disciples could understand and act upon His words. If they did, they would be richly rewarded when He brings the kingdom. Those who did not want to listen would have these truths hidden from them. They would remain in the dark. This would obviously include unbelievers, but a believer could also choose to ignore what the Lord was saying.
Christ’s teachings are like a lamp lit in a dark place. His words are like a light on a lampstand. Apart from His words, we sit in a dark room. Like a lit lamp in a dark room, His teachings demand attention.
A believer who wants to know what pleases the Lord should not think that such knowledge is out of his reach. He should not think that the Lord wants him in the dark. Jesus wants us to know what He requires of us.
Christ has lit a lamp. He has placed it on a lampstand. He didn’t put it under a bed.
The Lord wants every believer to be great in His kingdom. If we look to the light of His teachings, we will see how we can be greatly rewarded by the King when He returns.
In Matt 5:14-16, the life of the disciple is the lamp on a lampstand directed towards those in the world. In Mark 4:21-23, it is Christ’s teachings directed towards believers.
