February 16 | Luke 8:1-18

Elaine Pierce
Feb 16, 2025
3 min read

DAILY READING

REFLECTION

True Light

By Elaine Pierce

I was an avid reader growing up - one of those kids who begged to 'just let me finish the chapter' before bedtime. And that chapter turned into 'just one more, please.' I even tried to read, not with great success, by shining a flashlight under the covers. I'm pretty sure my parents were onto me - just as I discovered my own children using the same trick. It's hard to read in the dark, isn't it! We need light to see the words on the page. Light makes all the difference.

In today's passage, Luke recounts Jesus teaching the parable of the sower (be sure to read the first 3 verses, too- note that Jesus' disciples included 'women who helped to support them [Jesus and the disciples].' Jesus had a team who traveled with him - he was not a lone ranger.) After he tells this parable, he moves from farming and planting imagery and he talks about light. He makes the obvious point that the purpose of lamps is to light the room, not to keep things in darkness. But of course he is talking about much more than illuminating a room. Verses 17 and 18 are challenging to all of us who want to follow Jesus:

For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open . (v. 17).

My childish attempts to hide my nighttime reading under the covers was destined to fail. And our attempts to hide from Jesus, our creator, our savior, our Lord, will never be successful. He knows our inmost thoughts, and he longs for us to come to him, no matter how broken we may feel. He tells us that his burden is light. He gives us rest and refreshment.

Take a look at verse 18:

"Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him."

Consider carefully how you listen. Take time this week to ponder Jesus' words. As the psalmist said, Thy word is a light unto my feet and a light unto my path (Psalms 119:105). Turn to the light. Run to the light, the light of the world!

PRAYER

Lord, you are light, you are life, you are true joy and true mercy. So often I think if I hide under the covers you won't see my sin, and I'll get away with it. Forgive my childish ways, Lord, and help me to listen carefully to your still small voice. Amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ELAINE PIERCE

It is a delight and joy to write Sunday's UALC Blog post. I have been a UALC member for 20+ years and I value our community of believers. I draw strength from God's Word, and it is my hope that you join me in seeking to grow closer to Him as we read, study, and pray together. I've been married to Gene for 47 years, and we have four grown children and nine grandchildren. It is an exciting time to be alive, and I count it all joy to serve him, even in the midst of challenges. To God be the glory, for the great things he is doing!