Wednesday, February 15, 2012
A
Parable about Listening
21 He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand? 22 For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” 24 “Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more. 25 Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.”
Jesus
is emphasizing again the importance of hearing his message. In verses 23-24, he
encourages us to hear him carefully. It’s amazing how much we don’t hear when
we listen to someone else. Research has shown that listeners to radio
advertising only hear one out of every four words. Wouldn’t it be sad if we
only heard one out four words that Jesus spoke? In Luke’s account of this
parable he adds these words from Jesus, “Therefore consider carefully how you listen”
(Luke 8:18). We should be considering
what we hear and how we listen. How can
we better listen to the words of Jesus?
We will improve on how we listen to Jesus’ words if we let the light of his teaching shine through us. At the appropriate time and place speak his word into someone’s life. Know that God will let us keep more of his word as we share his word.
Therefore, consider carefully how you listen to Jesus.
21 He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand? 22 For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” 24 “Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more. 25 Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.”
1)
Let your light shine. – If you have been given light from the teachings of
Jesus – then let it shine. Live it out. Make it visible. This is a powerful
parable from Jesus. No one puts a candle under the bed or under a bowl, do
they? Candles are meant to be put on a
lamp stand so everyone can benefit from the light. We are candles that have been given light
from the Lord. Therefore, we are to let our light shine for him. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to
my feet and a light for path.”
2)
Reveal the light at the proper time. I
believe letting our light shine is living out the word of God. Revealing the
light is speaking out the word of God. There are times and places when we
should speak the word of God into somebody’s life. What Jesus personally
teaches us at some point and time will help someone else. The Holy Spirit will
lead us to those open doors and opportunities to speak the word into someone’s
life.
3)
God will reward us for giving away His word. God will measure out to us what we
measure out others. And God always gives more back than we give. Jesus said
these words in Luke 6:38, “Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed
down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with
the measure you use, it will be measure to you.”
We will improve on how we listen to Jesus’ words if we let the light of his teaching shine through us. At the appropriate time and place speak his word into someone’s life. Know that God will let us keep more of his word as we share his word.
Therefore, consider carefully how you listen to Jesus.
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