The Parable of the Sower teaches that those who receive the gospel with a heart that is fertile enough for the seed (Word of God) to grow, will produce the fruit of the Kingdom of God, thus, “As for that good soil, they are those who hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience (Lk 8:15).” We will resemble shining lamps in our witness and proclamation of Jesus Christ. Further, a lamp is not the power source, but simply bears (possesses) the light. Christ is our power source that energizes our light by the Spirit (Jn 8:12). Like the moon who reflects the glory of the sun, so do Christ believers reflect the glory of God.
Using this parable as a foundation, Jesus taught that we must shine forth (like lamps) in all pristine purity of God’s light in order to be a blessing to men. In this next block of scripture, He stresses the importance of the light-bearing mission of believers, but also further elaborates on how it exalts truth and illuminates darkness. He also taught those who have rightly heard his truth will put it into practice which is manifestation of faith. God blesses the doers of his word, not simply hearers (Jam 1:22-25, cf. Ps 1:1-3).
Christian Witness is Not Hidden (v16), “No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed but puts it on a stand. So that those who enter may see the light.” A lamp was created to be placed in a room that would become dark after natural light is gone, to make it possible for people to see where they otherwise would not. The lamp can function in its purpose if it is:
(a) plugged into where it gains access to its life source (power outlet)
(b) turned ON.
Likewise, believers are “light-bearers” of Jesus (Mt 5:14-16, Phi 2:14-16). We must be connected (abiding) in Christ who is our power source in order to reflect his light, and thus bear fruit, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. (5) I am in the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing (Jn 15:4-5).” It is the Father’s will that the mysteries of his kingdom be revealed through his children (cf. Lk 8:10) to the world. Remember, the “Great Commission” commands that we go out into the world and make disciples. This (in part) comes by the proclamation of the gospel. Much like our Lord who spread the Gospel in the 1st century, we will also experience those who hear and understand, while others will continue to harden themselves against our appeal. Remember what Jesus reveals in the Parable of the Sower……the devil comes and snatches away what they hear. Paul further explains, 2 Cor 4:3-4, “And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. (4) In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” The exhortation of this verse is this: when the seed of the Gospel is sown, the light must shine so the mysteries of kingdom of God will be disclosed to the glory of God that others may be saved. God is glorified in giving grace and mercy to sinners (cf. Isa 30:18).
All Will Be Revealed @ Jesus Return (v17), “For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.” The Christian is chosen by God to reveal his truth in both words and lifestyle. Paul taught that unbelievers will endeavor to silence and suppress such truth (Rom 1:18). All that has remained hidden will be disclosed and brought to the light upon his return. In the world of men, we may think we can get away with our evil thoughts, schemes, words, and actions, but the Word of God exposes such darkness. When Jesus returns, he will unveil all that is hidden to completion in judgement. In light of this, a believer should be encouraged with these thoughts:
- The Word is our Light. If we live by it (and follow the leading of his Spirit) it will help us discern good from evil (or between right and almost right). It will grant us discernment that we may see the intentions of people’s hearts around us (to include our own). It will give us confidence in God’s will for our life, especially in suffering for the sake of his message (Heb 4:12-13).
- Christ is Judge, He will have the final say. We live in a fallen creation. God has instituted governments that are commissioned to administrate law, order, and justice. Unfortunately, these systems are filled with fallen man and our society is often marked with gross inequities and corruption. We live in a culture where up is down, and evil is good. While there are times we all experience the benefits of governance, many of us are left with anger as we witness the disparities of our laws and injustice we see prevailing in our world. In our inner being we cry out to God like the righteous ones described in Revelations who were martyred for their faith in Jesus, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you judge and avenge the blood of those who dwell on earth (Rev 6:10)?” While God does work judgement and justice in the earth in accordance with his providential will, he will execute complete judgment upon his second return. He will disclose the truth of his Word for all to see (Rev 19:11-16). No longer will the unbeliever be veiled from his truth. No longer will they dishonor and refuse to glorify him as God. Upon his return, every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess Jesus as Lord (Phi 2:9-11). Jesus is worthy to open the scrolls of truth that will fully reveal his judgements, his law, and his promises to those who believed in him (Rev 5:1-5). This is why in v18 of our focus text, Jesus commands that we “take care” of how we hear this gospel truth. It’s man’s responsibility (a) that we hear, (b) what we hear and (c) how we hear his truth. Today is the day of salvation.
Growth of God’s Word in our Hearts (v18), “Take care of how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he think that he has will be taken away.” Bible commentator (William Hendricksen) summarizes this verse in this way, “Whoever with due attention and a yearning for salvation listens to the message and by means of the exercise of his faith obeys it, yielding fruit, will receive the blessings of salvation in an ever-increasing measure.” Here Jesus taught, “for the one who has, more will be given…” Whoever has accepts the “seed” with good and honest heart, God will increase him in the knowledge of his Word so that more his light can shine in their lives. In the teaching of the, “True Vine”, he illustrates this same truth in this way, “Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit (Jn 15:2).” The “more (that) will (be) given…” is God as he sanctifies (prunes) us day by day so we can increase in kingdom fruitfulness.
In contrast, Jesus offers a warning to those who have heard the gospel with a heart blinded by indifference, hardened by trial, and pre-occupied with earthly matters. Even though they demonstrate a resemblance of knowledge they received and a superficial acquaintance with spiritual matters, such truth they heard will be taken from them. Why? Because they did not receive the truth with an honest and good heart that they may bear fruit with patience. There is a common phrase in our culture, “Use it or lose it.” Much like human skills, if I do not commit and invest my time in regular practice and growth in knowledge of such skills, I will lose such ability before I know it. This is the primary message of the Parable of the Talents (Mt 25:14-30). To summarize the story, a master had three servants who he gave talents to each (according to their ability). While traveled to a far journey, they were supposed to use the talents given them. When he returned, he called them to himself that they may give account of what they have done with the responsibility given. Two of the three servants doubled the talents provided due to diligent working and stewardship of what was given. They were rewarded by the master. But one servant hid the talent in the ground and did nothing with it. The one talent he had was taken from him and given to the one of the other servants who produced the most. Likewise, God has given all us gifts and abilities to be used for the furtherance of this Gospel mission. As mentioned before, if we have truly received salvation, our lamps must shine, that through us those who live in darkness will see it and be drawn to it by the Father…….and eat of the fruits that they may be nurtured and restored to life by the Gospel. Then they will go out to do the same.
Blessings,
Dr. Jason S. Price, Th.D
www.springoflivingwaters.com
Eloquently written plain speech!