Mark 4:21-34
Everything hidden will be revealed.
Sometimes that might come across as bad news. But sometimes, it’s really good news. While on the one hand, we should be able to say today that there is more access to information than ever before, on the other hand, there are way more things happening in this world than can possibly be known.
Except that our faith says that God knows.
God knows when you do something. For bad. Or for good.
Is that motivating to you? If not, why not? Whether or not we think about or believe that God knows what we’re doing might be an indicator of the nature of our faith. If we only care about what people think or see, what might that say?
Take comfort in the thought that God sees and cares about what you are doing. This need not be taken as a threat, but as an encouragement to do well.
(Just don’t also forget that God’s grace is pretty deep and more than enough for what you think you can’t do.)
Mark 4:21-34
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.”
Then Jesus said, “This is what God’s kingdom is like. It’s as though someone scatters seed on the ground, then sleeps and wakes night and day. The seed sprouts and grows, but the farmer doesn’t know how. The earth produces crops all by itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full head of grain. Whenever the crop is ready, the farmer goes out to cut the grain because it’s harvesttime.”
He continued, “What’s a good image for God’s kingdom? What parable can I use to explain it? Consider a mustard seed. When scattered on the ground, it’s the smallest of all the seeds on the earth; but when it’s planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all vegetable plants. It produces such large branches that the birds in the sky are able to nest in its shade.”
With many such parables he continued to give them the word, as much as they were able to hear. He spoke to them only in parables, then explained everything to his disciples when he was alone with them.
Prayer
God,
Why do we care so much about what people think? I’m sure there are some people who don’t care as much as I do, but honestly, I don’t think I’m alone in this.
I care. I really do.
So help me, God: not only to care about the well-being of people, but for your goodness. I am so inspired by Christ and your kingdom and the goodness of it all. It’s certainly what I want to be about.
So watch me carefully, God. Remind me of your presence. Don’t let me forget just how available and plentiful your resources are. And help me know both your presence as well as the support of those among whom you’ve placed me.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.
I recently discovered that I had difficulty overcoming some of my behavioral challenges. I was finally able to. I believe the reason I was able to is because I released the shame I carried about things I’d done. I just let it go. That’s when I discovered I hadn’t really experienced all the grace of God available to me. Letting go of the shame made room for the grace and it made all the difference. These days I spend a lot of my time sharing my testimony about receiving more grace. (Everything will come into the light.)
How can I not share?