Thoughts for the Day

Jesus said to them, 'Is a lamp brought in to be put under the bushel basket, or under the bed, and not on the lampstand? For there is nothing hidden, except to be disclosed; nor is anything secret, except to come to light. Let anyone with ears to hear listen!'

And he said to them, 'Pay attention to what you hear; the measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given you. For to those who have, more will be given; and from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.'

(New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

I hate maths! Unequivocally, I hate anything that has to do with numbers. I cannot remember numbers, and as a young person I would avoid them at all costs. I am a word person, and can remember where phrases occur in a book and on what side of the page. So as a child having to learn about pecks and bushels (dry weight or volume)*, and rods, poles, and perches (distance), nearly drove me mad.

Jesus taught his disciples that no-one would put a lamp under a bushel basket, that is a basket of woven slats that often held fruit. Neither would it be placed under the bed! If a lamp were lit it would be placed on a stand to light the room.

This parable is another about the Kingdom of God. Once a person has heard about God and the truth about Jesus then he or she has to pass it on whenever there is an opportunity. You wouldn't hide a cure for an illness, if you knew it, so why hide this good news?

*I do know that 190 square rods = 1 acre! Also that 1 imperial bushel = 8 imperial gallons......!

Friday 21st August, follow up thoughts

Heavenly Father,
help us to communicate
the good news of Your Son
in a loving and natural way,
that attracts others to You,
and forgive us when we
find this too difficult,
but help us to try again
when the opportunity occurs.
Amen.