It’s funny to mess with the kids here at Siwell Road and turn the lights out on them. Their reactions range from no reaction to all to screaming and begging for the lights to come back on when I turn the lights off on them. We understand that the darkness is immediately removed once light returns (John 3:19-21). However, the darkness makes us fearful because we do not know what is in the darkness. One thing that remains constant though is the phrase, “Who turned the lights out?!”
The concept of light and darkness is also mentioned by Mark in his gospel. In Mark 4:21-25 the Bible reads, “And he said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand? For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”
This passage begs the question; how are you helping to put the light on a stand? Think back on the times you were wishing for a flashlight when you are outside in the dark or the power is out in the house. What are you going to do with the light? Will you cover the light up and continue to walk in darkness? I hope not! Jesus is the light! This parable shows what great learning conditions are, but what makes the conditions great is the desire of those willing to learn. I encourage you to not cover the light from others who are crying out for light, but set the light on a stand so others have the chance to see.
Logan Baldwin