A Candle on a Candlestick

The Lord used the illustration of a candle on a candlestick several times when he was teaching.  We’ll examine each of these lessons in this study today.

Take Heed What Ye Hear

In Lk 8:16, the Lord made this statement.  “No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light”.

This would have been a very common occurrence back then.  The whole purpose of lighting the candle is to provide light for people to see.  In this case, the Lord said, “that they which enter in may see the light”.  Not the room or the furniture or the people, but the light.  Not what the light is illuminating, but the light itself.

Jesus had just spoken the parable of the sower, and he had charged the people with this command, “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear”, Lk 8:8.

The words he spoke are light.  Ps 119:130 says, “The entrance of thy words girth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple”.  2 Pet 1:19 says, “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place…”.

When Jesus preached, his words were light in the dark place where Israel was and his words were to give understanding to the hearers.  They were a candle on a candlestick.

In Lk 8:17 Jesus said, “For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither anything hid, that shall not be known and come abroad”.  Jesus had just revealed one of the mysteries of the kingdom of God to his disciples, Lk 8:10.  And, of course, since the words he spoke to them are recorded in the written words of God, he has revealed this mystery to us, as well.

Likewise, in Col 1:26-27, for example, Paul revealed a mystery which had been hid from ages and generations. That is, “Christ in you (Gentiles), the hope of glory”.  Soon the mystery of iniquity will no longer be a mystery and that Wicked shall be revealed, 2 Thes 2:7-8.

In fact, all mysteries will be revealed and made known in due time.  God doesn’t hide the light of his words with a vessel or under a bed.  He intends for us to see the light of his words when he’s ready.  See Deut 29:29.  The secret things are secret until God reveals them to us, 1 Cor 2:9-10.

In Lk 8:18 Jesus said, “Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have”.

This is an extremely important warning.  He said, “Take heed how ye hear”.  If you have ears to hear, then to you shall the words and the light of the words be given.  If you don’t have ears to hear, then what you have, and what you seem to have, of the words of God will be taken away from you.  See Mk 4:21-25.

The trouble with the people standing there to hear Jesus preach and teach, according to Lk 8:10, is that they saw but they didn’t “see” (the light).  They heard but they didn’t understand.  You have to see the light of the words (the candle) to understand.  In Matt 13:12-14, Jesus expounded on this statement.

The Pharisees were a perfect example of the people who heard wrong (how ye hear).  So was Judas Iscariot.  Israel, to whom God had given the oracles, Rom 3:1-2, has had what little of the word they knew taken from them through their unbelief.

Lk 8:19-21 people who hear what Jesus says, and do it are the mother and brethren of the Lord Jesus.

Take Heed What Ye See

Lk 11:33 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.  v.34-35 the light of the body is the eye… v.36 the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.

The light illustrates the whole body full of light thru a single eye, seeing what God wants us to see the way he wants us to see it.  We must see Jesus, Jn 1:4-9.  The true Light lighteth every man that cometh into the world.  He’s the candle on a candlestick.

Take Heed What Ye Say

Lk 12:1-3 nothing covered, not revealed; neither hid, not known.  This statement concerned the hypocrisy of the Pharisees.  They’re different in private than they are in public.  The warning to disciples, Lk 12:3, what’s spoken in darkness, will be heard in the light; what’s spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.  Beware!! Lk 12:1.  If you don’t want what you say repeated in public, don’t say it in private.

What you say in private should be the same as what you say in public.  Matt 10:26 nothing covered, not revealed; and hid, not known.  Matt 10:27 what I tell in darkness speak in light: and what you hear in the ear, preach upon the housetops.  Context: don’t be afraid to say what Jesus has given us to say.  Don’t fear them.  Be that candle on a candlestick.

Conclusion:

The words of God are light; speak them in light and take heed.  If you believe the light of his words you’ll receive more.  If you reject the light o this words, he’ll take away what you have, even if you had some.

Jesus is the light and he lighted the world.

The Pharisees were dark but pretended to be light, and this was revealed.  Beware of being a Pharisee.

Note: The Light in Israel is Temporarily Hidden

Matt 5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house v.16 let your light so shine before men.  They didn’t but they will when Jesus returns.  They will be a candle on a candlestick.

To study the previous lesson, see A Sower Went Out to Sow.