Mark 4:21-23 - Secrets Made Manifest

Mark 4:21-23
21 And He was saying to them, “A lamp is not brought to be put under a basket, is it, or under a bed? Is it not brought to be put on the lampstand? 22 For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything been secret, but that it would come to light. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”

Message: Secrets Made Manifest

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Following the explanation of the parable of the sower, Mark provides words from Jesus that emphasize the seed (the Word) that the sower drops. He calls to mention the Lamp and in Psalm 119:105 it says Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet. Jesus here remarks on the purpose of the lamp - Is it not brought to be put on the lampstand? It's purpose is to light our way. It is placed in our life and meant to light our way throughout each day. The sun provides us light during the day, the lamp during the night, thus we have a light with us all day. A lamp is brought to us. The Word of God has been carried to us, passed on through generations and has a valuable place in our lives.

As Jesus did in the parable of the sower, he presents the sower, but doesn't name the sower. And here in these verses he also doesn't name any person specifically but instead makes a general statement and then concludes with if anyone has ears to hear, let him hear. That last statement seems to mean that this is a statement that is meant for all people. It doesn't just explain Jesus' mission on earth.

This is second time he mentions the phrase he who has ears, let him hear. As I remarked previously, some peoples ears are there to respond, to defend, to correct, but here Jesus says specifically some ears are there to hear.

Verse 22 is a verse that has been dissected over the years and taking a very full meaning. It says For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything been secret, but that it would come to light. I believe I have heard different religions teach that this means we are to understand every tit and tattle, every word of our Bible and they have worked to do this. But Solomon said that everything is appropriate in its own time and I think there are times and seasons for the understanding of God's word. As Jesus speaks of the lamp shining our way I think this verse speaks to the fact that God's word has application to every area of our life. We often will say, "The Bible doesn't speak on that subject" and yet I think that is wrong. Everything has something that will come to light through the reading of the Word. The Word can be trusted.

And also the Word of God is not meant for just a few, but for all. It is not to be a secret book for certain people, but application for all of our lives. I think there is a reason the 10 commandments were put up before our courts at the beginning of our country - because they realized that even with the separation of Church and State, the Word of God, it's commandments have application to every human person. The breakdown of society is intensified as those commandments are ignored.

We can also be thankful for the way in which the Word of God has been translated throughout our globe, often by Wycliffe Bible Translators, into so many different languages, because it is to be revealed to all people. It is not a secret to certain groups. But the rich help the poor and give them greater understanding. How exciting to see that the Word of God continues to have an impact on people's lives.

11.16.2022 - I also see another application possibly for this verse. As we are sharing truth, the gospel with people, people that have ears to hear will hear. This message will result in people following it. We don't need to be concerned that it won't. But we also have a responsibility to study and understand it. 

Promise: Jesus is the lamp that has entered the world in order to preach the gospel and provide illumination to the people - everywhere.

Prayer: Lord, help me to never think that I never graduate from the reading of Your Word. There is always something new to behold. Thank you for the way in which your Holy Spirit speaks through the Word and provides Christian authors insight concerning it. I want to always be a tutor of Your Word.