Lent 2026 Day 7: Wed 25 Feb
Mark 4:21-23
21 Jesus also said to them, “Does anyone bring in a lamp to put it under a basket or under a bed? Doesn’t he set it on a stand? 22 For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be brought to light. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”
These words seem to have been slotted in, probably from a treasure trove of sayings of Jesus that were collected and shared with new and growing churches across the known world. Matthew placed them with a large selection of sayings and teachings in what’s known as the Sermon on the Mount (a rather old-fashioned and possibly misleading name). Luke places it elsewhere. Mark places them here.
We may think of this short parable as expressing that we should let our little lights shine. It’s true that we should not hide the gifts we’ve been given. That could result in false modesty.
There are deeper things at play in this little parable that neither Luke nor Matthew pick up (and they have their own takes on it). A little while ago I had a chest X-ray at Papworth that revealed the stitches holding my ribcage together after my by-pass op. The surface stitches have all dissolved, but the internal ones remain. No-one can see them, but they are there.
It’s a deep truth that nothing that’s been suppressed will stay suppressed – the truth will out. Whether it be the brutal suppression of Christian faith in North Korea, or the abuse of vulnerable people in the Church of England or any other denomination, the truth will be revealed. Like the psalmist, we long for the hidden things to be uncovered, for justice and righteousness. We sin further if we cover up under darkness the things we do or have done that are not of God. His light will shine straight through us, God can see deeper, where modern technology cannot.
Does it matter that the Gospel-writers did not necessarily follow strict timelines of events?
Have you let your little light shine?
What are you hiding?
Father God, you know me through and through. There is nothing hidden from your searching eyes. Teach me how to live my life, individually and corporately, in complete openness with everyone. Amen.
Paul