Unlimited: The Teachings of Jesus Shed Light
Mar 13, 2024 1964
He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand? For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear” (Mark 4:21-23).
The disciples have been thinking that the parables of Jesus are too mysterious: too hard to understand. But now Jesus tells them that’s not the way it is at all.
Jesus explained the Parable of the Sower, but his disciples didn’t understand the meaning of this, or his other parables.
Here, Jesus tells them that his parables are actually meant to shine a light on things that are hard to understand.
Jesus says that his teachings are like a lamp that needs to be lifted up high, so its light might shine everywhere and illuminate every dark corner.
Jesus ends with the saying, “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”
Of course, we all – with very few exceptions – have ears. And ears are meant for hearing.
So, Jesus is saying not only that his teachings are for everyone, but he’s also presenting us with a challenge. How will you respond?
– Eliezer Gonzalez
Eli’s Reflection: Are you willing to hear what he has to say? If you are, then you’ll also be willing to lift his word up high in your life, and to let it shine in every dark corner, and reveal everything within you that is hidden. Where can you shine for Jesus?
Jane
Mar 13, 2024
The light burns brightly in the darkness illuminating every nook and cranny Darkness cannot overtake the Light of the World Until now, I had forgotten a song that as a child I loved. Now. I see the truth of the words "Jesus bids us shine...." I would have liked to have posted a link to this song but it might not be permitted. '...in this world of darkness we must shine...' And w can only do thst in Jesus if we let Him have His way. O Holy Spirit, come. Shine in our hearts, minds and life. Light of the world strengthen Your Spirit in us that we may each burn brighly for zyou.
Ketchakah
Oct 30, 2023
Hello, Jesus used a lot of parables in his teachings. They are in many places throughout the NT not just in the one section that we normally think of. In fact MOST of the stories have a meaning under the surface. I believe He spoke this way because a teaching or story can have different applications to different people. If He was succinct, such as in the Parable of the Sower, there would be no room for Him to speak to us individually. He explains these parables to teach us how to look at things beyond what they seem on the surface. We need to look for the meaning of each story and let Jesus explain them in a manner that relates to us personally. We must ALWAYS allow The Spirit to tell us the meanings of these messages, and not rely so heavily on the opinions and interpretations of our fellows. Their interpretations are meant for them, not necessarily us. Through fellowship, we can expand our understanding of how Jesus speaks to us by seeing how He speaks to others. It is HOW he speaks to others not WHAT he speaks to others that we can use to understand His messages for us. But, we must allow Him the opportunity to speak with us. Too many people do not spend time listening. When we read a scripture we must stop and ask Him to tell us what it means. Yes it takes a long time. I have spent 3 weeks on one verse to learn of its meaning and application to me. We must spend time listening and thinking about what we read to hear his voice and applications. Praying and reading of scripture is an opportunity to listen as well as speak. Ahoh Ketchakah.
Olivia Jeter
Nov 12, 2020
Yes I am willing to listen to Jesus teaching cause it brings a great deal of light within my life Jesus teaching gives me the Knowledge to hear everything he has to share to know more then I could ever know though his light of life that shines on us in his holy name amen.
Jane
Mar 13, 2024
Correction: last line 'for You"