1.01 The Lighted Lamp
I. THE LIGHTED LAMP.
Matthew 5:14 - Matthew 5:16; Mark 4:21; Luke 8:16, Luke 11:33. THIS parable is given in its fullest form in St. Matthew: “ Ye are the light of the world. A city that lieth upon a mountain cannot be hid. Neither do men light a lamp, and put it under a bushel, but on the lamp-stand, and it shineth to all that are in the house.” The sense of sight is the noblest of all the senses, inasmuch as it approaches more nearly to what is immaterial and spiritual than any of the others. For its exercise, however, light is a necessary condition. A world that lay in spiritual darkness received the promise of illumination when the Light, the true Light that enlighteneth every man, came into it (John 1:9). Jesus was in Himself the Light 46 THE PARABLES OF JESUS 47
(John 8:12): His disciples, many of whom had once been darkness, were light in Him (Ephesians 5:7). Just as the moon and the planets shine with a reflected light, so the disciples shone by the light which He communicated to them. In the parable He taught them that they must impart to others the light which they themselves had received. A lamp is lighted for the purpose of giving light, and a lighted lamp is in its proper place when it is set on a lamp-stand. To put it under a bushel or under a bed would frustrate this purpose. The bushel was a dry measure common among the Jews, equivalent to about two English gallons; and the bed here is not a simple rug or carpet which one could easily take up and carry off (Matthew 9:6 /.), but a raised bed on feet, thus resembling those in use amongst us. In St. Mark, and in its first occurrence in St. Luke, this parable follows that of the Sower, and from this we may infer that the light of the lamp typifies the doctrine communicated by Christ to His disciples, not for themselves merely, but for the sake of others to whom they were bound to preach it.
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If they neglected to perform this duty, their conduct would be like that of a man who lit a lamp, and then covered it so that it might give no light. In St. Matthew the context is different. The parable is preceded by the comparison of the disciples to salt; and it is followed by the words: “ So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father Who is in heaven.” The express mention of good works does not exclude the preaching of the disciples; the term “ light,” therefore, would include all word and example that might enlighten and edify the neighbour. In St. Matthew, then, the term “ light “ seems to have a wider signification than in the other Synoptists in the passages referred to. In its second occur rence in St. Luke, the parable has no very obvious connection with what goes before; nor is it clear what precisely the spiritual signification of the word “ lamp “ is. The general lesson that may be drawn from the parable is this, that whatever gifts we have received may and should be used for the edification of our neighbour. An analogous idea is found in Shakespeare: THE PARABLES OF JESUS 49
* Heaven doth with us as we with torches do, Not light them for themselves; for if our virtues Did not go forth of us, twere all alike As if we had them not.” 1
We need not make a vain show of our virtues: if with singleness of purpose we do good and avoid evil, and consistently endeavour to fulfil our duties in whatever station we may be placed, our lives, independently of any intention of our own, will silently exercise a persuasive influence for good on those of others.
TAGS: [Parables]