Passage of Scripture: Mark 4:21-25
(21) 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 it's stand? (22) For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out in the open. (23) If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear." (24) "Consider carefully what you hear," he continued. "With the measure you use, it will be measured to you-- and even more. (25) Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him."
What does a light do? It helps us to see clearly things that are usually hidden by darkness. Things that are concealed now become apparent to us, we see them when we couldn't before there was light. If a lamp doesn't help people to see, it's really useless isn't it? The question we need to be asking ourselves is this. Does my life show other people how to find God and how to live for Him? When people look at the way I live my life, when they see my actions and watch my behavior, do they see Jesus? Do I light the way to Jesus? If someone followed me would they find Jesus where I take them? Am I a light for those lost in dark world?
If not, we need to ask what "baskets" or "bowls" have extinguished our light? Maybe we have become complacent, maybe it's resentment, maybe our heart is filled with stubbornness. Disobedience can keep God's light from shining though us to others. Verse 23 tells us that it is wise for us to pay attention to what is being said here. Jesus is telling us to listen carefully to what he is saying in these following verses. Verse 24 tells us to consider carefully what we hear. This means to meditate on it, to think about it, and to understand and absorb the message.
The light of Jesus truth is revealed to us, not hidden. But we may not be able to see or use all that truth right now. We're told in verse 24 "that the measure you use, it will be measured to you-- and even more." What does this mean for us? It means that as we put God's teaching into practice we will be able to understand and see more truth. If you want to experience all that God wants for you then you have to be obedient and practice what scripture says. As we do this then more and more and even more truth and understanding of that truth become more evident. Just like the way a light in a dark room illuminates it's contents, so does the light of Jesus truth. We need to remember that the truth is always clear, but our ability to comprehend or fully understand is imperfect. as we obey, we sharpen our vision and increase our understanding.
James 1:22-25 says this... (22) Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. (23) Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror (24) and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. (25) But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it-- he will be blessed in what he does.
If we would simply look intently, searching for truth from God's word and then remembering what we have learned, remembering what the holy Spirit within us had revealed to us as we read, then act upon it, do what it says, we will be blessed in all we do. That's the promise God gives us!
Back to mark 4:25, "Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him." This verse simply means that we are responsible and accountable to use well what we have been given. How much we have is not nearly as important as what we do with it. You see, God has revealed Himself to us and we acknowledge that we need His forgiveness and His salvation. Then His Spirit reveals truths to us as we study His word and do what it says. The more we do this the more He uses us and the more we understand and comprehend. Do you want to know Jesus more? Then read His word and do His will. Use what God has given you and He will give you more (verse 24).
Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, I know that as I walk with You and I study Your word, you reveal more and more truth to me. me prayer is that I will do Your will with what You have given me and may I understand Your truths through my obedience. Amen
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