“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? For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear” (Mark 4:21-23).
The margin in my Bible more accurately translates the word candle as lamp or light. Psalm 119:105 says, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” So this passage in Mark is talking about the Word of God. Is God’s Word to be put under a bushel or a bed instead of set on a candlestick?
Jesus is saying that His Word isn’t meant to be hidden or stuck on a shelf somewhere. It’s meant to be placed on a stand, where it can shine forth and give life to everyone. In other words, God wants His Word to get on the inside of us so it can start producing life on the outside.
How do we get God’s Word off the pages of the Bible and operating in our lives? How do we become living epistles, known and read of all men? (2 Cor. 3:2). Mark 4:23 tells us: “If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.”
The Word shines forth when we take time to hear and feed on it. The more we hear the Word, letting the Holy Ghost teach us God’s higher thoughts and ways, the more the Word gives us light, truth and understanding. Then we’re able to pass its truth on to others.
You see, we’re God’s billboards on this earth. As the Word produces life in us, the love, health, peace and light of God then shine forth in every area of our lives to give life to those around us!
I have ears to hear, so I choose to hear
God’s Word. The Holy Spirit opens the mysteries
of the Scriptures to me, revealing the life and
the ways of God to me. God’s light and life are in me,
shining forth so others can see.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
For over 40 years, Pastors Mark and Janet Brazee have traveled throughout the world sharing the Word of God and the Spirit of God. Together they've shared the powerful truths of faith and healing in more than 50 nations.
Today Mark and Janet pastor World Outreach Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where they base their ongoing outreach to the world. The Brazees still travel as the Lord leads, and they are raising up a congregation who share their passion to reach Tulsa and the world.