What to Do with a Candle - Mark 4:21

Mark wrote how Jesus told His disciples, “The sower sows the word. And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan comes immediately, and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness. And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution arises for the word's sake, immediately they are offended. And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word. And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred”, and in chapter four and verse twenty-one of his book, Mark shares how Jesus asked His disciples, “Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel or a bed?” where we read:

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?

The verse reads, “And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed?” Mark began with the words, “and he said” or “and Jesus uttered, declared and proclaimed” “unto them” which means “unto His disciples”, “is a candle” which means “is a lamp, portable light or other illuminator” “brought to be put under a bushel” or “come into being, established and become known to be set in place or laid down and set forth beneath a basket that would hold sixteen sextarii or about a peck which is around nine liters”, “or under a bed” which means “or beneath small couch upon which to recline at meals or upon which a sick man is carried”? Mark shared how Jesus asked His disciples whether they put “lights” beneath “bushel baskets” or “beds”.

The verse continues, “and not to be set on a candlestick?” Mark added the words, “and not to be set” or “and never to be set, established or placed” “on a candlestick” which means “upon a lamp stand or candelabrum”? Mark shared how Jesus rhetorically asked whether the “lights” were not to be placed upon a “candlestick” or “candelabrum”.

When we meditate upon Mark's words in this verse, we see how Jesus gave the obvious use of lights. Lamps were used to “light up” rooms, and if they were “hidden” under “bushel baskets” or “beds”, there would be no illumination. God desires to have a relationship with every person, and when they receive Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”, they are to allow their “light” to shine to others concerning the love, grace and mercy of God Almighty. May all who read these words know the importance of receiving God's word and illuminating Jesus everywhere they go.

Next time Mark shares how Jesus says, “there is nothing his, which shall not be manifested”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".