Luke 8:16-20: a reflection

16“No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a container or puts it under a bed; but puts it on a stand, that those who enter in may see the light. 17For nothing is hidden that will not be revealed, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light. 18Be careful therefore how you hear. For whoever has, to him will be given; and whoever doesn’t have, from him will be taken away even that which he thinks he has.” 19His mother and brothers came to him, and they could not come near him for the crowd. 20Some people told him, “Your mother and your brothers stand outside, desiring to see you.”

Jesus uses a simple image about a lamp: No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a container or puts it under a bed; but puts it on a stand, that those who enter in may see the light. A lamp is meant to give light, and so it is put where its light can be seen, not hidden away. The light of the truth, and of faith, is likewise meant to be seen, set out where it gives light to others, not concealed. What is lit is not to be hidden, but to shine.

Notice the point of the lamp: it is meant to give light, and so is not hidden but set out. No one lights a lamp only to cover it; the whole purpose of the lamp is to give light, and so it is put on a stand where its light can be seen. So too the light of truth and faith is meant to be seen, lived openly, shining for others, not concealed or hidden away. What God has lit in us is not meant to be kept hidden, but to shine out, giving light to those around us. The light is for shining, not for hiding.

That is worth taking to heart, for we can be tempted to hide our light rather than let it shine. We can keep our faith private, hidden, concealed, from fear or reticence, rather than letting it shine openly for others to see; but a lamp is meant to give light, set on a stand, not hidden under a bed. Do not hide the light God has lit in you, keeping your faith concealed; let it shine openly, that those around you may see the light. The faith and truth God has given you are not meant to be hidden away, but to shine out, giving light to others. Let your light shine, set out where it can be seen, rather than hiding it, as a lamp is put on a stand that those who enter may see the light; for what God has lit in you is meant to shine for others, not to be concealed.

Lord Jesus, you use a simple image about a lamp: no one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a container or puts it under a bed; but puts it on a stand, that those who enter in may see the light. A lamp is meant to give light, and so it is put where its light can be seen, not hidden away. The light of the truth, and of faith, is likewise meant to be seen, set out where it gives light to others. What is lit is not to be hidden, but to shine. Show me the point of the lamp: it is meant to give light, and so is not hidden but set out. No one lights a lamp only to cover it; the whole purpose is to give light. So too the light of truth and faith is meant to be seen, lived openly, shining for others. What God has lit in me is not meant to be kept hidden, but to shine out. Take that to my heart, for I can be tempted to hide my light rather than let it shine. I can keep my faith private, hidden, from fear or reticence, rather than letting it shine openly; but a lamp is meant to give light, set on a stand. Keep me from hiding the light you have lit in me, keeping my faith concealed; help me let it shine openly, that those around me may see the light. The faith and truth you have given me are not meant to be hidden away, but to shine out. Help me let my light shine, Lord, set out where it can be seen, rather than hiding it, for what you have lit in me is meant to shine for others.