Let your light shine!
Mark 4:21-32
Wow, this is a meaty little passage, and each section talks about spiritual growth and the Spirit that is within us. I am convinced that each person is born with a desire to know God. Some find Him early, some late, and some never, but it seems that all human activity is centered around trying to fill the hole in our lives that can only truly be filled by the Spirit of God. Let’s look at the different aspects of the spirit in these passages:
Mark 4:21-23 – I used to sing a song based on this as a child. Anyone who has ever been in Sunday School knows the song “Let it shine.” What is supposed to shine? The Spirit within us! We should exude God’s love. Hide it under a bushel (or a peck measure)? No! I’m gonna’ let it shine.
Verse 22 takes a turn from this thought to explain that Jesus’ parables contain hidden messages so that they might be revealed. These hidden messages are revealed to us today through the Holy Spirit, who helps us to interpret, and guide us in our daily lives. Verse 23 contains a phrase Jesus uses a lot, “If anyone has ears, let him hear.” What does it mean? I see it as sort of a prayer to the Holy Spirit. If anyone wants to understand the meaning of the parable, Holy Spirit, make the hidden meaning clear to him or her!
Next up is a warning (vs. 24-25): Be careful what you listen to! I like the fact that it follows the little prayer about listening. Listen to good things, and more understanding will be granted. Listen to things not of God, and even what you have learned from listening to good things will be taken away.
Finally, two parables about seed: The seed is the Word of God (what we read and hear about God) planted in the hearts of men (our spiritual “hole”). Parable one (vs. 26-29) says that once planted, the seed will grow until it becomes mature. We don’t know how this happens, but it does. Parable two (vs. 30-32) talks about a mustard seed (the tiniest of faiths) and how it can become one of the largest of trees. The mustard seed was the Biblical equivalent of the atom in today’s terminology. There was nothing considered smaller back then. A little faith goes a long way.
A recap about the spirit: if we have even a little faith that what God’s Word says is true, our faith will increase, our spirit will grow, and we will understand more. The change from within as we grow closer to God will exude like a beacon of light that others can see. This outward change will be infectious. Don’t hide it! Let your light shine!
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