What Does it Mean There Is Nothing That Will Not Come to Light?

　　Society has shaped our awareness of “self” to such an extent that we have become completely unaware of the subtle machinations of a “looking glass” culture, where we live our lives through the reflection of how we think others should see us. As a result, we strive to create a “goals” existence just to impress virtual strangers.

　　However, when we peer into that mirror in those rare moments when no one is looking, do we even recognize ourselves? Or have we lost ourselves to the version of the persona we choose to present to the world?

　　And what happens when that self, hidden in the anonymity of the dark, is suddenly exposed to the light of Truth?

　　Jesus addresses this exposure of the Truth in Luke 8:17:

　　“For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all” (NLT).

　　Let us look at this Bible verse more closely in order to better understand its meaning.

　　

Luke 8:17 as a Parable

One of Jesus’ most well-used teaching methods was the art of storytelling through the narration of parables.

　　So, what is a parable? It is a short story that has a dual understanding. On a superficial level, it appears to be about an everyday occurrence and holds an interesting yet relatable appeal to the average listener. However, a parable additionally contains a deeply embedded spiritual lesson.

　　Jesus spoke in parables almost entirely to His disciples in order to reveal Kingdom secrets to them whilst at the same time keeping the Truth concealed to those who were neither spiritually hungry nor mature enough to hear about the Kingdom of Heaven.

　　Luke 8:16-17 is one such parable that Jesus taught.

　　“No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.”

　　At the time Jesus spoke this parable, clay lamps were an everyday commodity. They came in different sizes and would emanate light by creating a flame by burning olive oil and flax wicks.

　　When night ascended, these lamps would be lit and placed on a shelf, a wall, or a wooden lamp stand. The higher you placed the lamp, the more surface area would be illuminated, thus exposing the objects of the room that had formerly been covered by darkness.

　　Considering the twofold intention of parables, the surface meaning of placing a source of light on a stand as opposed to under a bed is logical. However, the deeper meaning of Luke 8:16-17 is a warning from Jesus.

　　He is telling us that those who cultivate a false facade in order to mislead others, elevate their reputation, or disguise their immoral pursuits are, in fact, hypocrites whose behavior He will expose to the world in order that it learns the truth.

　　Oppositely, those who strive to live a life of obedience to God, who pursue integrity and honesty, whether people are aware of it or not, will finally be acknowledged by Jesus so that all may witness that what they did was out of love for God.

　　Most importantly, Jesus reminds us in this parable that He is the greatest source of light: He is the Light of God.

　　Just as a lit-up room helps us to better navigate around it, so too is Jesus, a lamp to our feet and a light to our path as He guides us through the snares and trials of a broken world (Psalm 109:105).

　　

Additional Meanings of Luke 8:17

Not only does Luke 8:17 serve as a parable, but the spiritual lessons it reveals also contain diverse meanings. Let us look at some more closely.

　　1. God declares that His promises will come to pass. We, as believers, know that God doesn’t think or act as we do, for His ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8). Consequently, His ways are mysterious to us and, at times, leave us with unanswered questions.

　　However, God promises us in Luke 8:17 that those things that are incomprehensible to us will be revealed and made sense to us in His perfect timing.

　　“I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am” (John 13:19).

　　2. God exacts retribution for us. John 8:17 is a comfort for those of us who are dealing with injustice that God will right those wrongdoings done against us.

　　The time when those who use the cover of darkness to mistreat us is coming to an end: God will expose those crimes and contend with those who contend with us (Isaiah 49:25).

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　　Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism (Colossians 3:25).

　　3. God wants us to share His Word with others. Jesus made it a point during His ministry to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. In spite of the Pharisee's protestations, Jesus was adamant that not only Jews would receive the Good News, but also non-Jews.

　　Paul, Peter, and others continued with the mission to expose the darkness of unbelief and spiritual imprisonment to the liberating light of God’s Word.

　　God doesn’t want to keep His Word hidden from those who desperately need to hear it and know the Truth of His redeeming love.

　　Being a Child of God does not mean that we are part of an exclusive club where we can pick and choose who gets to join. Luke 8:17 is a call to action for us to step out and share His teachings with a world that is broken and in need of a Savior.

　　“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:16-20).

　　

Luke 8:17 Encourages Us to Search Our Hearts

We are able to conceal the motives behind our actions from others. We are also able to hide our true thoughts from those we interact with because (thank goodness) we are unable to read each other’s thoughts.

　　We can also hide that one source of pain or regret, that little weeping wound that we keep tucked away in the deepest recess of our hearts, and no one is the wiser.

　　However, we cannot hide these things from God. Not only is He almighty and powerful, but He is also our Creator, who knows us right down to the number of hairs on our heads (Luke 12:7).

　　He can look into our hearts and see our thoughts, pain, bitterness, and anything else we want to keep hidden in the dark — from others and even ourselves.

　　Luke 8:17 is God’s encouragement to us to search our hearts and expose those things that are holding us back to the light of His Truth. He wants us to ruminate on our motives, let go of the pain that is holding us back, forgive, and let go.

　　

Luke 8:17 Be a Source of Light in the Dark

I’m sure that many of you will be in agreement that the world has become an increasingly difficult place to live in. The earth is groaning and weeping under the strain of war, environmental devastation, political manipulations, and more.

　　People are hurt and confused and are seeking to heal their brokenness through New Age practices, heretical pontifications, excess hedonism, and violence.

　　We may be experiencing the height of technology by sending civilians into space and being transported by driverless cars, but we are living in the spiritual Dark Ages.

　　However, God has made us vessels of light to expose the dark crevices of hopelessness, despair, and survivalism in this world. We are not called to be contained in our churches, safe and secure amongst our own brethren, as we only talk about making a difference in the world.

　　No, we are called to step out like Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:13-16 and shed the light that is inside us in every corner of our lives at any place, at any time — in our workplaces, with our friends, and also with those who condemn us. Even the barista who makes our daily Starbucks coffee needs to know the Light of Jesus.

　　Therefore, go, Child of God, and share your Light with someone today who desperately needs to know that hope and Salvation can be theirs through an eternal relationship with Jesus Christ.

　　Go anointed one, and make the darkness cower as you walk with divine authority to shine the Kingdom of Heaven on earth.

　　For further reading:

　　Why Does Jesus Say to Be the Light That Shines in the Darkness?

　　What Is the Power of God’s Light Over Darkness?

　　How Can Christians Overcome the Darkness of Life?