Everything Hidden Will Be Revealed

Living in the light of truth.

Jesus speaks plainly enough: light is not meant to be hidden. In fact, light cannot be hidden. It is meant to show things as they truly are. Light’s very existence is to counter the darkness. When Jesus says that everything hidden will be brought to light, we need not take it as a threat. If we let it, it’s hope. He is not threatening exposure so much as simply naming the way God’s kingdom works. God does not deal in shadows. God deals in truth.

This is why Jesus links revelation with attention. Listen carefully, he says. What we notice, what we tune out, what we allow ourselves to see - these things shape who we become. The light of Christ does not just expose external things; it reveals the habits of our hearts. It shows us what we value, who we make room for, and what we have learned to ignore.

James gives that exposure a very concrete form. Favoritism is one of the ways hidden values surface. When we treat people differently based on wealth, appearance, or influence, something inside us is being revealed. We may speak the language of love, but our actions tell a more honest story. The royal law, which calls us to love neighbor as self, does not remain an idea for James. It becomes visible in how we arrange our lives and our communities. James will push this even further later.

Jesus’ words about measurement make this even sharper. The way we measure others is the way our own lives will be measured. (This is actually really kind of weird when you think about it.) But it is not about punishment as much as it is about formation. If our vision is shaped by partiality, our world will be small and distorted. If our vision is shaped by love, our lives will open outward. It’s almost as if God won’t even have to judge us because we’ve taken care of the parameters ourselves.

Everything will be revealed not because God delights in exposure, but because God desires truth. The light of Christ uncovers not to humiliate, but as the first step toward healing and restoration. To live in the kingdom is to live in that light, allowing our hidden assumptions, quiet prejudices, and unspoken priorities to be brought into the open, so that love, righteousness, and justice can finally take their place.

Mark 4:21-25

Jesus said to them, “Does anyone bring in a lamp in order to put it under a basket or a bed? Shouldn’t it be placed on a lampstand? Everything hidden will be revealed, and everything secret will come out into the open. Whoever has ears to listen should pay attention!”

He said to them, “Listen carefully! God will evaluate you with the same standard you use to evaluate others. Indeed, you will receive even more. Those who have will receive more, but as for those who don’t have, even what they don’t have will be taken away from them.”

James 2:8-9

You do well when you really fulfill the royal law found in scripture, Love your neighbor as yourself. But when you show favoritism, you are committing a sin, and by that same law you are exposed as a lawbreaker.

Prayer

God,

Jesus said, “Everything will be revealed.” I choose to believe this.

…but when, God? When will all be exposed? It just seems that a lot is happening in the shadows. I said it seems that way. Is it actually? The explosion of media and technology these days makes me feel like perhaps there aren’t as many shadows as I’m told. And I wonder if my comfort, safety, and privilege are getting in the way of the truth and maybe there are more shadows than I could ever know.

So help me, God: I’m not sure what I can do about it all. So help me to do what I can within my influence.

By your Spirit & in Christ,
Amen.