Reading for Today–March 28
Deuteronomy 9:1-10:22
Luke 8:4-21
Psalm 69:19-36
Proverbs 12:2-3

On my to do list for today–I love to do lists–is to get caught up on my Daily Bible Readings. I did not start reading this year until the middle of February, so when Coronavirus and quarantine hit, I was still a month or so behind. But today is the day.

I noticed in the gospel reading these words in Luke 8:16-17. “No one would light a lamp and then cover it up or put it under a bed. No, lamps are mounted in the open, where they can be seen by those entering the house. For everything that is hidden or secret will eventually be brought to light and made plain to all.”

I suppose I have seen this before, but it felt new today. This is not how Matthew follows up the lamp line in Matthew 5. In Matthew 5:16 we read, “In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”

Most likely Jesus made multiple statements about lighting lamps and allowing them to shine. One time he encouraged his hearers to let those good deeds shine, another time he reminded them that light reveals secrets.

Chris Smith