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This Little Light of Mine

And he said to them, "Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand? For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light. (Mark 4:21-22 ESV)

The old Sunday School song tells not to hide our little light under a bushel. We are encouraged to "let our light so shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).  So the song does reflect a Biblical truth that we ought to follow.

However, the light in Mark 4 is not our testimony which is to shine in this world.  Jesus has just given the parable of the sower.  Connected with that parable, he explains why he teaches in parables.  Parables are designed to hide the truth from some while at the same time revealing the secrets of the kingdom to those who are ready to receive it.

"To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, so that "they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven." (Mar 4:11-12 ESV)

So in the context, the lamp is the "secret that will come to light."  Rather than being our testimony, the light that will not be hidden is the gospel of the kingdom of God.

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