Parable of the Lamp
Parable of the Lampudy Title JANUARY 22, 2014
Tom McCullough / PO Box 503, Granville, OH. 43023/ [email protected] / www.capitolcom.org.
In the Gospel According to Luke (AD 60-61), Luke, a Gentile, is writing to Theophilus so that he would know the exact truth and record regarding the things he had been taught about Jesus the Messiah. Luke provided numerous testimonies of Jesus’ identity as the Savior and Messiah. Jesus, during His ministry, traveled to many cities sharing scripture, teaching forgiving sin, physically healing people of demons and disease, and raising the dead. Jesus began to challenge the religious rituals of the day and most importantly shared the Kingdom of God. On this occasion, Luke describes a parable that Jesus told to illustrate the importance of believers sharing the Gospel message.
“Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed; but he puts it on a lampstand, so that those who come in may see the light. “For nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light. “So take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him.” And His mother and brothers came to Him, and they were unable to get to Him because of the crowd. And it was reported to Him, “Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, wishing to see You.” But He answered and said to them, “My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.” (Luke 8:16-21 NASB) The Light is Christ. In this parable (similar Light parables are found in Mt. 5:15; Mk. 4:21 and Lk. 11:33) the Light is Jesus; “For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” (2 Co 4:6) and the lamp is His follower.
In a continuation of the parable of the soil (Lk 8:4-15), the good soil will produce fruit. In this parable Jesus directs His followers to be Light in a dark world. His followers hear and receive the truth and Light and are directed to share the Light with others. The more truth followers share the more they are given. God shares His truth with His children and they are to share or teach to others. Likewise in the previous parable, the other three soils are similar to the people who hear the truth and handle it lightly or produce no fruit, their light is hidden and they have nothing to share or teach to others. Who’s Family? Jesus was not being rude when he made the comment about who His mother and brothers are, but was attempting to make or teach a deeper lesson. Jesus shared that those that are adopted into His family will be recognized by their fruit or actions. His mother and brothers are those that heard the word of God and do it. “But He said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” (Lk 11:28) They are not hearers only but also doers. “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” (Jas 1:22)
For Your Consideration: It was once said, “If you were before a court and you were charged with being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” Would people be surprised to know that you are a Christian? Are you a lamp that provides Light or a lamp that is hidden? Share the truth today. Are you one who has heard the Word of God, believes it, does it and is a part of His family?
BIBLE STUDIES LEGISLATORS: SESSION OR HEARING WEDNESDAYS AT 7:30AM, STATEHOUSE RM. 44 STAFF, LOBBYISTS AND CAPITOL SQUARE COMMUNITY: WEDNESDAYS AT NOON, STATEHOUSE RM.44
Tom McCullough / PO Box 503, Granville, OH. 43023/ [email protected] / www.capitolcom.org.
In the Gospel According to Luke (AD 60-61), Luke, a Gentile, is writing to Theophilus so that he would know the exact truth and record regarding the things he had been taught about Jesus the Messiah. Luke provided numerous testimonies of Jesus’ identity as the Savior and Messiah. Jesus, during His ministry, traveled to many cities sharing scripture, teaching forgiving sin, physically healing people of demons and disease, and raising the dead. Jesus began to challenge the religious rituals of the day and most importantly shared the Kingdom of God. On this occasion, Luke describes a parable that Jesus told to illustrate the importance of believers sharing the Gospel message.
“Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed; but he puts it on a lampstand, so that those who come in may see the light. “For nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light. “So take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him.” And His mother and brothers came to Him, and they were unable to get to Him because of the crowd. And it was reported to Him, “Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, wishing to see You.” But He answered and said to them, “My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.” (Luke 8:16-21 NASB) The Light is Christ. In this parable (similar Light parables are found in Mt. 5:15; Mk. 4:21 and Lk. 11:33) the Light is Jesus; “For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” (2 Co 4:6) and the lamp is His follower.
In a continuation of the parable of the soil (Lk 8:4-15), the good soil will produce fruit. In this parable Jesus directs His followers to be Light in a dark world. His followers hear and receive the truth and Light and are directed to share the Light with others. The more truth followers share the more they are given. God shares His truth with His children and they are to share or teach to others. Likewise in the previous parable, the other three soils are similar to the people who hear the truth and handle it lightly or produce no fruit, their light is hidden and they have nothing to share or teach to others. Who’s Family? Jesus was not being rude when he made the comment about who His mother and brothers are, but was attempting to make or teach a deeper lesson. Jesus shared that those that are adopted into His family will be recognized by their fruit or actions. His mother and brothers are those that heard the word of God and do it. “But He said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” (Lk 11:28) They are not hearers only but also doers. “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” (Jas 1:22)
For Your Consideration: It was once said, “If you were before a court and you were charged with being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” Would people be surprised to know that you are a Christian? Are you a lamp that provides Light or a lamp that is hidden? Share the truth today. Are you one who has heard the Word of God, believes it, does it and is a part of His family?
BIBLE STUDIES LEGISLATORS: SESSION OR HEARING WEDNESDAYS AT 7:30AM, STATEHOUSE RM. 44 STAFF, LOBBYISTS AND CAPITOL SQUARE COMMUNITY: WEDNESDAYS AT NOON, STATEHOUSE RM.44
