Friday, November 1, 2013

Parables of Jesus - The Lamp under a Bushel

Parables of Jesus


Matthew 5:14-15 (KJV)
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

Mark 4:21-25 (KJV)
21 And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?
22 For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.
23 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
24 And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.
25 For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.

Luke 8:16-18 (KJV)
16 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.
17 For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.
18 Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

This parable of Jesus comes just after the beatitudes in the Matthew’s gospel.
Jesus says “You are the light of the world – In John 8:12 Jesus said “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” By saying “You are the light of the world”, in Philippians 2:6-8 (KJV) it is said about the humble nature of Christ -
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

The parable’s main theme is to encourage everyone to do the good things and to be like an example to the generations. By saying “You are the light of the world” – God has given us such a great dignity, though we may not be eligible. But because of his Grace – as Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:10 “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”


In the Gospel of Mark and Luke, the Parable comes after the Parable of Sower. In the Gospel of Mark, it is said that on v.24 -And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. Measure here is to Judge others, or to compare with others. If we Judge others with the gifts given to them or if we compare ourselves with others in any manner, we will lose what we are about to get – as said in v.25 For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath. So it’s always wise not to measure or to use any parameters to measure others success or achievements or their gifts. Rather one should be happy about what he has and to thank God for his Mercy and Grace. As Apostle Paul says God’s Grace is sufficient in 2 Corinth 12:9 - “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Have A Bright and A Blesses Day Ahead

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