There are multiple sermons on this passage. Each one seems to have a slight, if not major, spin. We will delve into that which is not often emphasized in these sermons or Sunday School lessons.

Menorah. I spoke to a pastor in the parking lot of a major lumber company. He was so excited that he had finally discovered what he deemed as the meaning of the 9 candles of the Hanukkah Menorah. He was so off base it was obvious he had a very creative mind. What was concerning, the next day was Sunday. He was about to preach a falsehood. I wanted to offer him a coffee and try to explain his misunderstanding. A menorah during hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum. It is lit one candle one day at a time during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Eight of the nine branches hold lights that symbolize the eight nights of the holiday, not nine. The ninth branch holds a candle, called the shamash (“helper” or “servant”), which is used to light the other eight.” This is the only time of the year that the nine candle Menorah is used. The usual menorah has 7-candle holders.

What does a minister, S.S. teacher, or Bible study leader mean when s/he says, “The lamp”? We all know that a lamp or any form of light is to help one see his or her surroundings and the path. Here is the short of it…

^{Mark 4:21} And He was saying to them, “A lamp is not brought to be put under a basket, or under a bed, is it? Is it not brought to be put on the lampstand? ²² For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything been secret, but that it would come to light. ²³ If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” ²⁴ And He was saying to them, “Take care what you listen to. By your standard of measure it will be measured to you; and more will be given you besides. ²⁵ For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.” [Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneerson, in 1987. In the book A Kosher Christmas: ‘Tis the Season to Be Jewish]

Matthew begins this passage about the need for a lamp. Then he switches to hearing in the same statement. Why? Let’s look more closely at this parable.

“A lamp is not brought to be put under a basket, or under a bed, is it? Is it not brought to be put on the lampstand? 

Might this reflect our attitude and actions during our lifetime? We hide things by putting a lamp of exposure under a basket. Social, political, family, community, and too often, Christian lamps under the basket. Why? One may not wish to expose that which has been deliberately hidden. One thing is a ringer almost every time… Christian practices and witness. Some hide the fact of claiming to be Christian when outside of Christian circles.

The sentence at the end of verse 4:22 “…nothing is hidden that will not be revealed.” The obvious self-question is with this being so, why do we try to keep inner secrets? Dr. David Guzik adds… (commentary) “Some professing Christians have no root in themselves. Their root is some professing Christians have no root in themselves. Their root is in their parents, or in their Christian friends, or in their pastor, their church, or in enthusiastic surroundings...” Now we add from this passage, “He who has ears, let him hear.”

In this blog on ahabiblemoments, the above quotes are the roots of this parable. Some professing Christians have no roots. This means, s/he goes with the crowd and surroundings in which they find themselves. Some if not many people go to church for all the wrong reasons. They aren’t there to blend him or herself into the worship but to be seen or out of habit or tradition. They know little beyond the “stories” found in the Bible or preached from the pulpit. To them, that is what they are… stories or a Bible lesson to which they do not really hear what is being said.

The second part of Dr. Guzik’s comments tell us like it is. “These people’s roots are in their parents, or in their Christian friends, or in their pastor, or in enthusiastic surroundings.” Note what should be the elephant in this quote. There are no roots other than in others. When left on their own, who knows where they would be… neither do they. They have no Bible roots  other than what has been told them IF he or she listened. They have no time, desire, or claim to scripture because “they claim to not understand it.” What is there to understand…?

…“Some professing Christians have no root in themselves. Some professing Christians have no root in themselves. Their root is in their parents, or in their Christian friends, or in their pastor, or the church.” A more basic explanation, something left unread will never become knowledge. Understanding will always follow gained knowledge. Such a person is on thin ice with the sun shining brightly. Others require enthusiastic, dance to, stunning, and emotional sermons. Once their light losses the emotion, it loses its purpose as a light.

ALERT: This takes us to the final sentence in this parable. WE close this blog with another Dr. Guzik quote from his commentary on the Book of Mark, chapter 4:21-25…

“With the same measure (of effort to hear) we use, it will be measured to you: This is why it is important to take heed what you hear. God will respond to us as we have responded to Him, His word, and others.” Just as in the Lord’s Prayer, Forgive us just as we forgive others. Yes, this means forgiving ALL who have offended us. The Lord’s Prayer leaves no room for selective forgiveness. That is the standard with which God will forgive us.

Rev Dr Jstark – 2024