Living Room Study

Luke 8

“No one, after lighting a lamp, covers it with a basket or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand so that those who come in may see the light.  For nothing is concealed that won’t be revealed, and nothing hidden that won’t be made known and come into light.  Therefore, take care how you listen.  For whoever has, more will be given to him; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away.”  Luke 8:16-18

When I was 5 years old, my brother & I decided we would play with fire, passing our hands quickly through a candle flame.  I don’t remember how many candles we went through that day, but eventually we got bored and started challenging one another to go slower with each pass.  As the saying goes: Play with fire, and you’ll get burned.

Today’s passage reminded me of the impracticality of putting a candle in a basket, or under a bed.  Not only will these practices keep light from shining, (which is the purpose for lighting a lamp), but they will also burn-down your house!

Jesus told His disciples that one of the signs of a believer, is their desire to share the gospel with others. 

Desire and boldness are two different ideas.  We can have the desire to share our faith, but seized with fear, we may not act upon that desire.  Jesus is saying, “Go for it!  Be bold!” 

Christians should resist the flesh’s natural bent towards self-preservation.  Furthermore, Jesus is conveying that it is IMPOSSIBLE for true followers to hide their relationship with Him, long-term.  Just as a lit candle in a basket (or under a bed), will eventually ignite its container and spread it fire, so one’s relationship with Jesus cannot be hidden for long.

If you are successful in trying to hide your “lamp”, perhaps you should check and see if there’s any flame on the wick.

I have attended several church events, where everyone was given a candle.  Somewhere in the service, one candle is lit.  Then, its flame is shared with the next person…and so on, until everyone’s candle is illuminated.  This is the idea Jesus is communicating, when He talks about how those “who have” are given more.

Suppose someone tries to recreate the candle lighting ceremony, at another church across the street…only, they never light their “starter” candle.  Instead of a room full of lit candles: darkness.  Eventually, everyone would go across the street, where true illumination replaces the image of it.  “Even what he thinks he has will be taken away.”

Share your light, if you’ve got it.   If you don’t have it…please allow me to share mine with you. 

Blessings.

Steve Wiggins