Today's readings are Genesis 11.27-12.20 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Gen.+11.27-12.20 ) and Mark 4.21-41 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Mark+4.21-41 ).
In Genesis we continue to see God's hand of provision as he cares for his people and sends Abram from his home in Ur. Even when Abram goes to Egypt and sins against God and his wife, the Lord protects Abram.
In Mark we continue to see the greatest provision of all time in the Gospel of Christ. Mark 4.21-22 say "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'" (ESV). This statement of our Lord can expose an error manifest in much of modern Christianity's emphasis on being appealing to "seekers" or seeking to be "relevant" to our culture. Within these movements we almost always see the true Gospel of Christ crucified for sinners like us, really dead in our place, and really risen as the firstfruits of a literal physical resurrection is obscured. Instead we get a kind of Christianity that can barely be distinguished from the self-help section of a bookstore.
According to this passage, orthodox Christian practice would be to show the love of Christ, but never keep him hidden. As we live for Jesus in this world, we are to make him manifest, bring him to light. Our good works end up hidden by the intense light of Christ for us.
May my works ever be better in service for my Lord, a brighter reflection of his incomparable light, the true light, so that he is seen more clearly and I more dimly.
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