And He said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not meant to be put on the lampstand?”
With this saying Christ reveals a spiritual truth through another image. A lamp is brought not to be covered, but to give light. If it is put under a pot or under a bed, it will not serve its purpose. In the same way, God’s truth is given not to remain shut up, but to illuminate a person’s life. This applies both to the revelation of Christ and to the responsibility of the disciples. The light they receive must not remain confined, but must be seen and spread. If a person has truly received the word, it will certainly be expressed in his life. God’s truth is not given to remain hidden. Although it is sometimes presented in parables, its purpose is that it would finally be revealed and illuminate people’s lives.