Luke 8:4-18
"For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all." – Luke 8:17
It would be ridiculous to light a lamp and then cover it with a bowl or hide it under the bed. Or so says Jesus. And more than likely, His audience would have probably agreed with His statement wholeheartedly. In a culture that depended greatly on oil lamps for their source of light, the idea of lighting a lamp and then covering it up or placing it where it could provide no light was absurd. What use would that lamp be to anybody? Light is meant to illuminate darkness, not be overcome by it. And in this context, Jesus seems to be speaking of the light of the truth He is imparting. He is the light of the world shining in the spiritually darkened context of the nation of Israel. Jesus' teaching itself was light. It showed the way to God and revealed the truth about how to have a restored relationship with Him. Light exposes darkness and makes visible those things that have been hidden and unseen. Every time Jesus taught, what He had to say shined the light of truth on what had become a deceived and deceptively dangerous religious system. Their view of God was warped. Their understanding of Scripture was twisted. Their concept of righteousness was self-centered and man-centric. Jesus was revealing the mystery of the Kingdom of God and, at the same time, exposing the futility and falsehood of a religious system that was based on human effort and relied on self-righteousness.
Jesus' very presence in their environment was uncomfortable because it exposed all the flaws and fallacies that had crept into their thinking. But it also revealed the truth about God's holiness, man's sinfulness, and Jesus' intentions to provide a means of making man righteous in the eyes of God. Jesus had the unique ability to see into the very hearts of those who stood in His presence and those who stood against Him. Light was a way of revealing truth and exposing falsehood. John reminds us that Jesus, the Word, "gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it" (John 1:4-5 NLT). Jesus Himself said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life” (John 8:12 NLT).
Jesus came into the world, shining like a light into a darkened room. He would not be hidden. He would not be stopped. But He would shine bright, exposing every false concept of salvation, revealing every lie regarding righteousness, and making visible for all to see every hidden danger potential pitfall. So Jesus pleads with His disciples to pay close attention to what He is saying. His words are like light. They illuminate, not just educate. They expose, not just explain. They reveal the key to redemption and restoration.
Father, thank You for sending the Light of Your Son into the darkness of my world. And Jesus, thank You for continuing to expose and illuminate what the Father longs to eliminate from my life so that I might be continually and increasingly transformed into Your likeness. Amen.