Mark 4:21-25 | I John 1:5-10
Perhaps you’ve heard the old notion that the best thing that could ever happen to you would be for all of your “stuff” to be broadcast on the 6 o’clock news. (Today, it’d likely be more about posting it all on social media.) These are actually pretty terrible thoughts, but perhaps the spirit of the idea makes sense in light of Jesus’ words in today’s passage.
Honestly, if all is known, all you’d have to lean upon is grace. And since all we have to lean upon is grace anyway…
Just a thought.
(Please don’t post all your stuff on social media. Find a trusted place to confess. Someone who will hear you with love, offer you the truth, and challenge you with conviction.)
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.”
I John 1:5-10
This is the message that we have heard from him and announce to you: “God is light and there is no darkness in him at all.” If we claim, “We have fellowship with him,” and live in the darkness, we are lying and do not act truthfully. But if we live in the light in the same way as he is in the light, we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from every sin. If we claim, “We don’t have any sin,” we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from everything we’ve done wrong. If we claim, “We have never sinned,” we make him a liar and his word is not in us.
Prayer
God,
Isn’t it weird that you know all - everything about me - and yet I’m more terrified about other people knowing all this stuff about me than you?
Help me live for you, yet with integrity before all people.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.