Old Testament Reading: Psalm 119:1-16

“Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments. I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules. I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me! How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes! With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.” (Psalm 119:1–16, ESV)

New Testament Reading: Luke 8:16-21

“‘No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light. Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.’ Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. And he was told, ‘Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you.’ But he answered them, ‘My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.’” (Luke 8:16–21, ESV)

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Please excuse any typos and misspellings within this manuscript. It has been published online for the benefit of the saints of Emmaus Reformed Baptist Church but without the benefit of proofreading.

Introduction

Verses 16-21 of Luke 8 serve as a conclusion to the parable of the sower, the soils, and the seed which we considered last Sunday and the Sunday before. Here in the passage that is before us today, Jesus presses us, yet again, to be good hearers of God’s word. 

Look at verse 18. There Jesus warns us, “Take care then how you hear…” And look at verse 21. There Jesus says, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.” So, you can see that Jesus is, in the passage that is before us today, continuing to exhort his followers to be good hearers of the word of God. I say that he is continuing because this was the main point of the parable we have just considered. 

You know, given the repetition, you almost get the impression that this is important to Jesus! It’s as if he is concerned about some danger and wishes to warn us of it! Indeed, he is concerned. For hearing God’s word in a careless, superficial, or insincere way, is a great danger, and many do it! There are many who will listen to the Scriptures read and preached but only in a shallow way. Some will hear the word, but not think about what it says. Others will hear the word and think about it somewhat, but they do not take it to heart. Others will hear the word of God, think upon it, and take it to heart for a moment, but they do not obey it religiously. They do not practice what is preached, and this is very dangerous indeed. The parable of the sower, the soils, and the seeds warns us of the danger. And Jesus warns us of the danger in yet another way in the passage that is open before us today.

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Receive The Light Of God’s Word In A Good Way So That It May Illuminate Your Life

Here, Christ does not use the metaphor of seed and soil, but the light of a lamp. And he urges us to receive God’s word in such a way that it will illuminate our lives. In verses 16 Christ speaks to his disciples saying, “No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light” (Luke 8:16, ESV). 

The observation that Christ makes is straightforward and clear. A lamp is lit so that it might illuminate. No one goes to the trouble of lighting a lamp only to cover it with a basket or to put it away in a cupboard so that its light is restricted and the room remains dark. If you saw someone do that, you would think they had lost their mind. No one in their right mind would light a lamp and then cover it. No, when a lamp is lit the natural thing to do is to place it up on a stand or up on a shelf so that it will illuminate the whole room. That is what the light of a lamp is for. Its purpose is to illuminate a dark place so that people can live in the light that it gives. And so it is with the light of God’s word. The light of God’s word is to be received in a good way so that it may illuminate your life. 

God’s word is compared to the light of a lamp because it is truth. Just as the light of a lamp has the power to illuminate a dark room so that we might see what is truly there and walk according to that truth, so too, the word of God has the power to illuminate our minds and our hearts so that he might walk according to that truth. When you hear God’s word read and preached, or when you read God’s word for yourself, you are to be careful to receive the word as light. Receive it as the light of a lamp, and then use it as such.  Do not bury it away under a basket. Do not set it down in the corner of the room somewhere, or put it under the couch. No, when you receive God’s word through reading or thought preaching, you are to use it. You are to hold it up high so that it might shine brightly to illuminate whatever room you are in. And if you go out into the world, you are to take the lamp of the word of God with you so that you might see where you are going.

In Psalm 119:105 the Psalmist speaks to the Lord saying, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” To hear the word of God in a good way one must receive it by faith with the intention of walking according to the light that it gives. 

The world is filled with darkness, but God’s word is a lamp to our feet. God’s word is filled with goodness and truth. It reveals who God is. It reveals what he is doing in the world. It reveals who we are. And it reveals what God requires of us. To walk in this world without God’s word may be compared to walking in utter darkness. But to walk in this world with the truth of  God’s word is like walking with a lamp held forth to illuminate the path. Friends, when you hear God’s word, do not cover it up by quickly forgetting what it says, do not diminish its light by setting it in a corner, but hold it up high so that you might walk according to the light that it gives. 

And we must remember that it is not only the world that is outside of us that is filled with darkness, but our own minds and hearts have darkness in them too. The Scriptures say that we are, by nature and in sin, “darkened in [our] understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in [us], due to [our] hardness of heart” (Ephesians 4:18, ESV). This is the condition of those not in Christ. Thankfully, all who have been drawn to faith in Christ Jesus can say, “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6, ESV). Indeed, this is true for all who have placed their faith in Christ. The light of the Gospel came to them. Not only this, but the Spirit of God also worked upon their minds and hearts inwardly to shine in our hearts so that we might see Christ and his Gospel as good and beautiful. Without this inward illumination of the Spirit of God working in and through the word of God, no one would be saved from their sins. But corruption remains even within those who believe. Even the best of Christians will harbor within themselves wrong thoughts and errant desires. So what are we to do? We are to be good hearers of God’s word. We are to read the Scriptures and listen to them read and preached. We are to receive God’s word into our hearts by faith, we are to meditate upon the Scriptures, and we are to obey them. The image that comes to mind is not a man taking a lamp with him outside so that he might see the path on a dark night but of a man taking a lamp with him and walking into his own heart and mind to examine his thoughts, his attitude, and his intentions. 

This is the primary thing that Jesus seems to have in mind when he says, “No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light” (Luke 8:16, ESV). The room is the soul of a man – the mind, will, and affections. The lamp is the word of God. And the one who enters the room is the one who receives the word into the mind and heart to examine themselves – their thinking, their feeling, and their doing – by its light. As I have said, this passage is about hearing God’s word. And so the exhortation is to receive God’s word into the mind and heart in a good way – to hold it up high so it might illuminate every nook and cranny of our existence – so that we might think and speak and act according to its perfect light. And how do we do this except through prayerful mediation?    

Please hear me, brothers and sisters, reading the Bible, listening to sermons – yes, even good sermons – and reading great works of theology, will do you little good if you do not meditate on the truths you hear.

To meditate is to think deeply about something. To meditate is to focus your attention on something. The Christian is to meditate on God and on his word to us. Yes, some truth about God may be known through the natural world, and so it is not a complete waste of time to contemplate God’s creation. But God has spoken supremely and most clearly through his word. And so we are to meditate upon the Holy Scriptures. There we find the truth about the Triune God and all things in relation to him. It is in the Scriptures that we learn about God’s creation, man, God’s law, sin, God’s covenants, and the promise of salvation in Christ Jesus, who is the eternal word of God incarnate. Our catechism is correct to say that in the Scriptures, we discover what we are to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man. Brothers and sisters, the Christian must meditate. We must read the Scriptures, and listen to the Scriptures read and preached. We must focus on what is said. We must seek to understand the Scriptures as we receive them by faith. And we must settle down with the Scriptures to prayerfully ponder what they say. It is by the light of the lamp of God’s Holy Word that we are to walk in this world. And it is by the light of the lamp of God’s Holy Word that examine the thoughts and intentions of our hearts. Do not read the Bible, friends. To not listen to the Bible read and preached. Do more than this. Meditate upon the Scriptures. Think deeply about them. Ponder them. Apply them practically. And be sure that your thoughts, words, and deeds conform to the truth of the Scriptures.   

Psalm 119 is wonderful. It is all about God’s word, and love for God’s word. Mediation is often mentioned.  In verse 15 the Psalmist says, “I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.” In verse 23 we read, “Even though princes sit plotting against me, your servant will meditate on your statutes. Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors.” Verse 148 says, “My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise.” The words precepts, statutes, testimonies, and promise all refer to God’s word. And in this Psalm, the Psalmist expresses his love for God’s word and his commitment to meditate on God’s word always. May the same be true for you and for me. God’s word is like a lamp. We must receive it as such and then hold it up high, giving it a central and privileged place in our lives, so that it might illuminate our minds, our hearts, and our path.  

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Receive The Light Of God’s Word In A Good Way Knowing That All Will Be Brought To Light In The End

The second thing to notice in our text is that Christ urges us to receive the light of God’s word in a good way now because everything will be brought to light in the end, that is to say, at the judgment. That is how I interpret verse 17 where Christ says, “For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.” 

Commentators differ over the meaning of this verse. I’ve found that some want to make it about evangelism or the ever-increasing spread of the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth. Now, is it true that we are to carry the light of God’s word within us so that we will be a light to others? Yes, of course. And Jesus speaks of this in Matthew 5:14-16. There he says to his disciples, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” So in Matthew, we learn that Jesus used the same metaphor – the metaphor of a lamp placed on a lampstand – to encourage evangelism. But here in Luke 8, the emphasis is on receiving or hearing of the word of God in a good way so that the light of the word can illuminate the mind and heart leading to obedience. 

When Jesus says in verse 17, “For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light”, he is reminding his disciples that in the end – that is to say, on the day of judgment – all things will be brought to light. Everyone will stand exposed before Christ, the eternal Word of God. We will stand before him in his radiant glory and he will look upon us with his piercing gaze.  That is what Hebrews 4:12-13 speaks of, saying, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” When Christ says, “For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light”, he is reminding us of the day of judgment when even his people will stand before him to give an account. Will Christ condemn those who have faith in him? Will the wrath of God be poured out on those who trust in him? By no means, for Christ has paid for their sins and has clothed them with his righteousness. But even those who trust in Christ will stand before him to give an account. The radiant light of the eternal Word of God will shine upon us. The light of the Word will search even the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Again I quote Hebrews 4: “No creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” 

The message from Christ is clear. Receive the light of the word of God into your mind and heart now. Allow the word to judge your thoughts and intentions now. Obey it now, being mindful of the judgment day, knowing that “nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.”

You know, as I was thinking about this theme of the light of the word of God, John 3:16-21 came to my mind. It says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” (John 3:16–21, ESV)

Christ is the word of God incarnate. Christ is the light. He has come into the world. And he came into the world, not to judge, but to save. Those who come to the light of Christ and call upon his name will be saved from their sins. But many love the darkness rather than the light because their works are evil. They run from the light. They attempt to hide in the darkness, and in their foolishness, they think they succeed. But the scriptures teach that Christ the Word will return. And when he returns, he will judge. His glory will shine forth to drive away all darkness. No longer will those who have fled from his light be able to flee. All will be exposed. All will come to light. And so the exhortation is to turn from your sins and come to the light of Christ now. Receive Christ and his word now. Be searched by him now. Run to Christ for refuge now, while there is still time. Receive the light of God’s word in a good way today knowing that everything will be brought to light in the end.

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Receive The Light Of God’s Word In A Good Way Knowing That, To The One Who Has Light, More Will Be Given

In verse 18 we find another reason to receive the light of God’s word in a good way. There Christ warns us, “Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.” 

The principle is this: To the one who comes to Christ to receive the light of his word in a humble and sincere way, more light will be given. Light will give way to more light. Knowledge will give way to more knowledge. Wisdom will give way to more wisdom. The life of the one who humbly and sincerely receives Christ and his word will be filled with ever-increasing light and will culminate in glory. This can be compared to the passing of the darkness of night to the enjoyment of the light of the sun at noon. But to the one who rejects Christ and the light of his word – to the one who hears the word of God but loves the darkness rather than the light – whatever light they now enjoy will slowly give away to darkness with the passing of time, and this will culminate in the darkness of eternal judgment. This can be compared to the way in which the full light of noon slowly diminishes each day until it gives way to the utter darkness of night. 

 “Take care then how you hear”, is the warning that Christ gives. Do not think that you can hear the word of God and reject it or dismiss it without consequence. To those who humbly and sincerely receive the light of God’s word when it comes to them, more light will be given culminating in the enjoyment of the glory of God in heaven. Light will give way to more light as we grow in our knowledge of and obedience to Christ and word. But those who hear God’s word and reject its light will find that even the light that they think they now have will be taken away, culminating in the darkness of eternal judgment. 

Can’t you see this principle at work all around you? Haven’t you noticed the growth in wisdom and in holiness in those who love God’s word and treasure it in their minds and hearts? Isn’t wonderful to see a life that shines more brightly with the passing of time? And sadly, you have probably also witnessed the other reality. Those who have rejected the light of God’s word do grow harder and harder, darker and darker, and more and more foolish with the passing of time. Some even seem to have what we would call common sense taken away from them, and this is the judgment of God (see Romans 1:18-32). “Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.” 

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Receive The Light Of God’s Word In A Good Way Knowing That Those Who Hear The Word Of God And Do It Are Christ’s Family

The fourth and final exhortation that I have for you is drawn from verses 19 -21, and it is this: Receive the light of God’s word in a good way knowing that those who hear the word of God and do it are Christ’s family.

Verse 19: “Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. And he was told, ‘Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you.’ But he answered them, ‘My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.’” 

I do not take this to mean that Jesus was in any way rude to his mothers and brothers. In fact, we know that Jesus cared for his mother dearly. Certainly, he honored her in obedience to the fifth commandment. The text does not say that Jesus neglected his family or refused to speak to them. No, but with the mention of his mother and brothers, he did take the opportunity to say who his true and eternal family is.

You see, the true and eternal family of Christ is not formed by blood relation. The family of Christ – that is to say, the family of God – is not brought into being in the way that our families are, namely, through procreation and genealogical descent. No, Christ’s family – the true and eternal members of his household – are those who “hear the word of God and do it.” 

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Conclusion

Take care then how you hear God’s word. 

Listen to God’s word carefully when it is read and preached. 

Seek to understand it. 

Receive it by faith and with reverence.

Cherish God’s word. Hold it up high in your life so that it may illuminate your mind, your heart, and your path.

As God’s beloved children, rescued from the kingdom of darkness and brought into the kingdom of light, adopted by God’s grace alone through faith alone in Christ the eternal Son, be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves (James 1:22). Believe God’s word in the mind, cherish it in the heart, and meditate upon it so that you might put it into practice in thought, word, and deed. 

Be careful with how you hear and receive God’s word.