Word@Work 045 - Mark 4:21-23
Published: Tue, 01/22/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 4:21-23 He said to them, "Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don't you put it on its stand? For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear." (NIV)
It is plainly ridiculous to waste the light of an oil lamp by putting it under anything opaque. That would defeat the object or purpose of having the lamp. Likewise, obscuring the truth about Jesus is the complete opposite of what He intended. Jesus and His gospel was God's secret (Mark 4:11) - hidden until the first Pentecost but now not for hiding any more! God's way to heaven is to be broadcast, like the seed. Why do you think that you have been let into the secret? Is it just to be saved and personally related with the God who made you? Yes ... but more than that. You have been given the secret to share with others.
So why do we creep around with the Gospel truth locked behind pursed lips? Why are we so 'careful' that we don't 'put them off'? The truth is that they are already 'off' and will remain 'off' until the Gospel message is spoken to them and the light of Christ switches them 'on' by the power of God's Holy Spirit. Some may say that unwillingness to share the Word is shyness or fear, but if it is so obviously meant to be seen openly, is it not disobedience ... or worse - collusion with the enemy? It is Satan who obscures, but Jesus brings everything to the light. Occult simply means 'hidden'. If we hide what is meant to be seen openly, are we unwittingly conspiring with Satan and his occult schemes?
Jesus is training His disciples to understand the priorities of His Kingdom, so that they would be His witnesses when filled with the Holy Spirit (and that was a life or death choice for them). What about us? We will not usually have our lives threatened - so let's make 'sharing Jesus' a daily priority. Ears to hear?
Prayer: Dear Father God. I know that it was so important for you to send Jesus to be our way to heaven, and so important to send your Holy Spirit so that we can be Christ's witnesses. Please convict me of my personal responsibility to share about Jesus with my friends and colleagues - knowing that you are always here to help me. In Jesus' Name. Amen
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
It is plainly ridiculous to waste the light of an oil lamp by putting it under anything opaque. That would defeat the object or purpose of having the lamp. Likewise, obscuring the truth about Jesus is the complete opposite of what He intended. Jesus and His gospel was God's secret (Mark 4:11) - hidden until the first Pentecost but now not for hiding any more! God's way to heaven is to be broadcast, like the seed. Why do you think that you have been let into the secret? Is it just to be saved and personally related with the God who made you? Yes ... but more than that. You have been given the secret to share with others.
So why do we creep around with the Gospel truth locked behind pursed lips? Why are we so 'careful' that we don't 'put them off'? The truth is that they are already 'off' and will remain 'off' until the Gospel message is spoken to them and the light of Christ switches them 'on' by the power of God's Holy Spirit. Some may say that unwillingness to share the Word is shyness or fear, but if it is so obviously meant to be seen openly, is it not disobedience ... or worse - collusion with the enemy? It is Satan who obscures, but Jesus brings everything to the light. Occult simply means 'hidden'. If we hide what is meant to be seen openly, are we unwittingly conspiring with Satan and his occult schemes?
Jesus is training His disciples to understand the priorities of His Kingdom, so that they would be His witnesses when filled with the Holy Spirit (and that was a life or death choice for them). What about us? We will not usually have our lives threatened - so let's make 'sharing Jesus' a daily priority. Ears to hear?
Prayer: Dear Father God. I know that it was so important for you to send Jesus to be our way to heaven, and so important to send your Holy Spirit so that we can be Christ's witnesses. Please convict me of my personal responsibility to share about Jesus with my friends and colleagues - knowing that you are always here to help me. In Jesus' Name. Amen
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
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