Shine

Mar 4:21-22

He also said to them, "A lamp isn't brought to be put under a basket or under a bed, is it? Isn't it to be placed on a lampstand? For nothing is hidden except to be revealed, and nothing concealed except to be brought to light. (NIV)

We often hear verse 22 in referance to sin being revealed at the judgment, but this is to tear it from it's context. And when interpreting Scripture, (or any other literary work!) context is our primary tool. Put into context, it becomes clear that the hiddeness is the gospel. In conversations with unbelievers, one of the objections to the gospel that raises itself over and over is the absolute foreignness of the concept of substitutionary death in western culture. Another confusing point is a perceived lack of "clarity" on the deity of Christ. Some people object (like Zipporah) to the perception that God is bloodthirsty or vindictive at some points, but overly merciful in others. There are many things about the gospel that are difficult and confusing to those not under the influence off the Holy Spirit. However, Christ has pointed out that all of this will be corrected one day. And in the meantime, we are to make every effort to communicate the gospel effectively. As the grain in the previous parable multiplies, so we need to allow our light to shine and spread the gospel. But the light that we broadcast is not really our own. If comes from the Holy Spirit, and it is only through His power and encouragement that we can be enlightening and fruitful.