Mind Meld of A Different Kind

Mark 4:21-25
Then Jesus asked them, “Would anyone light a lamp and then put it under a basket or under a bed? Of course not! A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine. For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”

Then he added, “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even more. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.”

Paparazzi Welcomed!
I have a love/hate relationship with the paparazzi. On the one hand I cannot help but be intrigued by the latest story or photo about my favorite celebrities. On the other hand I am glad I do not live with people hiding my bushes to take pictures of me walking past my window in my pajamas.

Jesus does not seem to mind the constant scrutiny. He in fact welcomes it. Does anyone light a lamp to hide it under a bowl? No a lamp is lit to be displayed, to be seen by everyone and to shed light on others. Being a follower of Christ is to be lit up by Jesus from the inside out. The light of the world shines through me.

Sometimes this means the light shines through the parts of my life I want to stay hidden. I don’t like everyone to see my weaknesses, my sin, my vulnerabilities. I don’t want the paparazzi to uncover my secrets.

The secret things are meant to be revealed and what is hidden is meant to be pushed into the spotlight. Listen closely, dig deep, pay attention to the details in the shadows. This is where the truth of personal identity is found. Understanding is not gained from a cursory glance. Stand and stare, dig through the garbage of my life. Discover what is inside me, what motivates me, what lights up my world. This is the life God called Jesus to and that he calls me to. Paparazzi welcomed!

God of light, shine your light through me so the world might see how much you have transformed me to make me what I am today. Help me to live with the shades open and your light on in every area of my life. – Dan Jones

Do You Have Ears?
Mom repeated her instructions, but her teen son still did it wrong. Frustrated, she boxed his ears, “Aren’t these your ears?” “Nope,” He replied, “I stick those on every morning to hold my diamond studs.” Too much Bill Engvall!

Jesus said some funny stuff – like today. “I want all of you with ears to listen up.” I wonder if Thomas guffawed, “Ah shucks, that leaves me out!”

Comedian Engvall’s “Here’s your sign” jokes are funny because we all say silly stuff. Jesus says his silly for the same reason the mother did, to address a serious issue. Though God has given us amazing hearing devices, we get lazy about putting in the work to use them. That’s why Jesus starts out this chapter explaining his reason for using parables (stories with spiritual meaning). It’s not that he doesn’t want people to understand. He wants them to think!

Listen and think about what you just heard. Mull it over. That’s paying close attention during and after the message.

Like then, we often want to understand God’s profound truth without investing the required work. Listening carefully to a Sunday message, a youth group lesson, or Jesus himself, isn’t something many want to do. Just make truth easy! Spoon feed me. Just don’t make me think too hard.

But God’s truth seeks to rearrange the entire web of our assumptions, perceptions, world views – everything. The Good News demands deeper thinking than the 3 easy steps to some behavior modification that pop religion often feds us.

Eternal Mind, you invited me to reason together with you in the Old Testament and commanded me to be transformed by renewing my mind in the New Testament. Help me develop critical thinking ability as I read your Word and consider your ways. –Mike Leamon