- “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.” Do you think that Jesus is telling us that we should be open as Christians so others can see our example or that the state of the Gospel seed in us will ultimately be disclosed—we cannot hide who we really are. Or do you take it to mean something else entirely? What do you think?
Assuming that this is a continuation of Jesus’ explanation about the parable of the sower rather than a standalone passage, it would mean that the seed must be allowed to grow. The metaphor has changed from seed to light but that is consistent with biblical ideas. The result of the growth of the seed is light and that light will not be hidden. It will not be difficult to discern the Christian heart. The problem is that we assume the sowing of the Gospel seed and how we respond to it is all that matters but in truth it is the light in us that reveals the life in us.
- “Therefore consider carefully how you listen.” “Consider carefully how you listen” links to v8 (“Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”) and v11-15, (each soil begins with hearing the Gospel). Jesus teaches us that how we listen will have a big impact on the result. When it comes to God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—how would you describe how you listen? What do you think will be the outcome of the way you are listening to God now in terms of the 4 soils?
I try not to tarnish God’s Word with my own assumptions and prejudice and I try to take the lessons I learn to heart. I think these days I succeed more and more.
- “Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them.” What do you think about this principle that Jesus is teaching us and how it impacts our spiritual life and growth?
It is both frightening and encouraging. We can spend our lives thinking that we have it because the world around us and even the Christian community around us affirms us and affirms what we have. But are we growing more and more into the person that the Bible is describing or more and more the person the world is celebrating? It is encouraging because at any point we can reverse the rot although the “law” of slippery slopes tells us that it gets more and more difficult to change our thinking and our ways.
The thing to carefully take to heart is that when we are so sure of ourselves, when we do not allow Scripture to challenge the perfect illusion we cling on to, when the pride of life refuses to allow us to repent and be redeemed because that would mean denying that illusion, we are likely on the wrong path.
Paul says it well in 1 Corinthians 9:27, “No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”