Thoughts for the Day

A Lamp under a Bushel Basket

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.'

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

The beginning of Mark's Gospel concerned itself with accounts of Jesus healing the sick, but now after the 'Parable of the Sower' Mark continues with 'Parables of the Kingdom of God'. The 'Parable of the lamp under a bushel basket' occurs in all three Synoptic Gospels, but Mark and Luke have a slightly different emphasis to Matthew, they put this parable straight after the 'Parable of the Sower' with its emphasis on hearing and and responding personally to the word of God. But this parable is a very visual story - of an oil lamp with a flame which is completely eclipsed by a basket - and therefore it's doing a pointless job as a light. A light in bible times was not to be looked at, it was used to illuminate the darkness, and to make what cannot be seen visible.

So what's this parable about? We know that God's kingdom is a kingdom of love and that it's partly here already. When we come to faith that's because we have both heard and received the word of God. Now comes a time of decision, do we ignore what we have received and keep it all cosy to ourselves, as though covering up a lamp, or do we share it with others thus illuminating them and spreading the Gospel?

As I type this I think of those generous Christians who have shared their faith with me, or shown me an example of their received faith - my mother and my aunt (in childhood); a friend who recently died; a close friend valiantly fighting sickness of a loved one; and another her own frailty. Each time we as Christians share what we have learnt in humility, then we help to bring God's kingdom of light and love into being.

Lord Jesus Christ,
You brought the true light
into the world,
which no-one could dim,
even though the wicked continued to try.
Help us who have received that light
have the humility and the courage
to share it with others
and to receive what others share with us.
Amen.