Dangerous, Healing Truth: Daily Thoughts from Mark (Mark 4:21-25)

Is there any danger in hearing the truth?  God judges us by how we respond to His light.

Jesus has begun teaching in parables because his listeners are not really wanting to understand his message.  He is revealing the meaning of the parables to those who really want to know, that is, his disciples.  And he is warning them that their lives must demonstrate real repentance and faith, real fruit, if they are truly trusting in God.

And he said to them, “A lamp doesn’t come to be put under a basket or under a bed, does it, but rather to be put on a lampstand.  Things aren’t hidden except to be made known, nor are there secrets except so they may come into the light.  Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.”  And he told them, “Be careful what you hear.  With the measure you measure it will be measured to you and added.  Whoever has something, more will be given to him, and whoever does not have anything, even what he has will be taken away from him.”  (Mark 4:21-25)

Jesus’ message of the kingdom, the sown seed, is also like a lamp that is meant to light everything around it.  It is designed to reveal what is hidden in darkness, even the secret rebellion in the hearts of people who would otherwise seem to be subjects of the kingdom.

Those who respond in faith will be given even more light as they demonstrate their willingness to submit to God’s kingdom.  Those who reject it will lose whatever light they had.  To use James’ words, if you draw near to God He will draw near to you (James 4:8).  This is a basic structure of God’s world.  We have rebelled in our Father Adam and in our own personal lives.  But God wants us back.  Only, not everyone wants to come back.  The way we measure God’s truth will determine how God measures back in relationship.

We must be careful when the light of God’s word shines on the darkness of our lives and we must choose to “walk in the light” (1 John 1:7) and let it cleanse us, instead of trying to deflect it through hypocrisy, rationalization, or outright denial.  When He shows us something isn’t right we must own it.  The lampstand of truth will heal our darkness, will drive it away if we open ourselves to it.

This is all the more reason to spend time each day interacting with God over His truth.  You know, a daily devotional.  And it can’t be just reading Scripture to say you’ve done it, as a means of making good with God.  He is inviting us to a relationship.  How you measure that daily devotional is everything.  Don’t do it if you aren’t going to let it shine the light on your heart and talk with God about what is revealed.  Measure right.