Luke 8:16 - This little light of mine...

Following the Parable of the seed on different kinds of ground:


Luke 8:16-18


16
No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth [it] under a bed; but setteth [it] on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.

17
For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither [any thing] hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.

18
Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

I would like to point out first of all that I think many church-going folk who have grown up with this verse tend to lump it together with the city on a hill and take it to mean that Christians are supposed to be a model and that we must put forth the best possible image because we will be under observation. This interpretation seems to result in a pressure for Christians to put on the best possible show without much consideration for the content.

I think that this interpretation leaves a lot of the verse uninterpreted and perhaps even gives a false impression. I do not remember Jesus often telling the disciples that they have to look good for everyone else, and I think that a close reading of the verse, especially considering the verses around it, will yield a richer understanding of the point that Jesus seems to be reiterating regarding hearing the word of God and doing it.
(Additionally since, society is always changing its mind regarding what it considers 'good.' If Christianity is trying to put on a 'good show' in the eyes of the society viewing it, the definition of what makes a 'good show' will keep changing.)

I attempt to summarize my 'conclusions' thus far:

I notice that verse 18 begins with an admonition to listen well.
I consider that the light represents those teachings of Jesus. I consider that to listen well means not only hearing, but understanding and internalizing. The teachings were meant to be enacted and put to use in the world, not to just be heard and put away for later.
For those who believe and enact the teachings, it is as if they have a light - doing what it was made to do - illuminating the world around it. Their light is not only good for them, but for those around them.
For those who hear but do not enact the teachings, it is as if they are putting the light away somewhere, foolishly because a hidden light cannot fulfill its intended function as a light. It is no good, no use hidden.

Nothing will be kept secret, but everything shall be made known - it is not difficult to determine whether someone is using a light or hiding it.

To those who have light, and use it for its intended purpose, even more shall be given as they continue to enact the teachings.

To those who do not have it, even if they think they understand or are doing the right thing, eventually it will not be difficult to determine whether they actually have been using their light. If not, then when the truth comes out, even the illusion that they thought they had will be taken from them.

The focus then,
is on hearing the word and understanding it in a way that leads us to implement it. It's not about putting on a good show of implementation. The truth of how the light is being used will eventually be obvious so I consider that the point is to focus on using the teachings. Since nothing will be kept secret, the rest will follow.