Journey With Jesus: 31 Days Devotion From the Gospel of MarkSample

Don't block the light

Night falls, and the house is in darkness. If you owned the house and had a lamp, would you hide it under the bed or bowl? Probably not, as that would dim the light and defeat the purpose of having a light source.

Would you put the lamp on a lampstand? Held up high, the lamp would easily light up the whole house. Surely, any owner would place the lamp where it shines brightly without hindrance!

God is eager to shine His light into the world of darkness, too. He has generously revealed His heart, thoughts, and instructions to anyone who needs His light. The lamp (v21-23) represents God’s life-giving message, which He has freely made known to us. He does not hide His revelation. Rather, He has put His truth out there, making it easily available to those who want to know it.

Some of us may think that God only discloses important stuff to those who are “super Christians.” But God has already made His truth known to everyone through the Bible.

We do not know everything about God. He is way too awesome and powerful for us to completely comprehend! But what He has revealed to us through the Bible about His character and plan for humankind is enough for us to love Him and live a godly life.

The question then is, how are we responding to the message that God has revealed? Are we giving God’s Word the respect it deserves? If the message is really from God, then it demands our obedience. If the revelation is truly from God, then it is the absolute truth that we ought to live by.

The two parables in verses 26-34 reveal how the supernatural growth of the Kingdom of God occurs because of God’s power and man’s effort. God desires for us to respond to Him in the right way and join Him in His work.

Is there anything that hinders you from approaching God’s Word with the right attitude? How can you deal with it so that it doesn’t block the light of God in your life?