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16“No one after lighting a lamp hides it under a jar, or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand, so that those who enter may see the light. 17For nothing is hidden that will not be disclosed, nor is anything secret that will not become known and come to light.” –– Luke 8:16-17
Recently, we had an exterior landscaping light fixture moved because all the light had been literally swallowed up by a bush. The bulb was still good, but its light was hidden, proving Jesus’ point, I suppose; and unlike my megachurch neighbors, I didn’t even know Jesus was all that into light design and special effects. I guess that’s why they also invest in those fog machines and video equipment. Who knew? Yet, seriously, Jesus did understand the relationship between form and function, design and utility. If you don’t use something for which it was designed, when does it cease to be what it was? When is an automobile no longer a car, but a work of art? Or, when the storm comes, a flashlight without batteries is just junk in a drawer.
“No one after lighting a lamp hides it under a jar…” I wonder if Jesus said this with a smirk, because Jesus was surely aware that we are regularly hiding lamps under jars and bushel baskets, or in closets, drawers, and any other mode of concealment we can find. In a Scottsdale convention center or a swanky Manhattan auction house, people gather for the competitive spectacle of affluent patrons with seemingly inexhaustible resources bidding on opulent treasures. Yet, for all the excitement in the venue with the auctioneer’s numbers approaching the GDP of some countries, the real action is taking place offscreen or behind the scenes as anonymous bidders relay their intentions to representatives who whisper bids to officials who, in turn, let the auctioneer know whether or not to bang the gavel. Thus, an anonymous bidder purchases the enchanting Hopper painting that will be secured in a private room, if not a vault, or maybe the gleaming vintage Ferrari, that will never be driven, but only sheltered in some hermetically sealed garage. Consequently, both the artwork and the car remain inaccessible to the public, for to display the painting or drive the car would entail too much risk.
But what about us? Jesus compares the Kingdom of heaven to a merchant in search of fine pearls, who in finding one of great value, went and sold all he had to purchase it. We affirm such value each time we recite the Apostles’ Creed. Yet, we are prone to hiding this faith through the week in such a way that no one would guess we have it. It’s too risky to openly share it, fearing others may see us differently, or get the wrong impression. However, if love is not shared is it actually love? It is never our job to convert others to faith, but it is always our calling to reflect, embody, and share the treasure of love as most clearly revealed to us in Jesus. For They will know we are Christians … by our love.
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