“THOSE WHO HAVE” [pause] “MUCH EXPECTED” [pause] “IT’S NOT EASY”   [Tuesday, September 16, 2008]

Readers who are biblically well versed will most immediately recall how these 8 spoken words relate to the following scriptures:

 “And that servant, which knew his lord’s will and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is GIVEN , of him shall be much required, and to whom men have committed much of him they will ask the more.” (Lk. 12:47-48)

In these verses Jesus stressed the expectations of a faithful servant and the repercussions of disobedience. As I pondered the meaning of these verses early this morning and how they applied to me personally, other verses came to Light which revealed one important facet of the word “given.”

Mark’s Parable of the Candle:  

“And he said unto them. Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel or under a bed and not to be set on a candlestick? For there is nothing hid which shall not be manifested: neither was anything kept secret but that it should come abroad. If any man have ears to HEAR, let him HEAR. And he said unto them, Take heed what ye HEAR: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that HEAR shall more be GIVEN. For he that hath to him shall be GIVEN and he that hath not from him shall be taken even that which he hath.” (Mark. 4:21-25)

Luke’s Version of the Parable:

“No man when he hath lighted a candle covert 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. For nothing is secret that shall not be made manifest neither anything hid that shall not be known and come abroad. 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 seemed to have. (Lk. 8:16-18)

In this parable, the Light of the candle symbolizes revelations understood through eyes that can see and ears that can hear the written and spoken Word ( Lk. 8:10-11). Altogether in Luke 12:47-48 and in Luke 8:16-18, Jesus discloses a heavy responsibility to His Disciples. He warns that those who hear [are given to understand] the revelation of the written and spoken Word and who do not heed it, will suffer repercussions. This precious Light, He further cautions, is not to be covered nor to be hidden but is to be kept on a candlestick. And because a candlestick can symbolize a church [i.e. gathering - Rev.1:20), the Light entrusted unto those who hear is also meant to be given/shared for the benefit of all who "enter" therein.  Moreover, the Disciples are further called to discern and understand what is heard and to be carefully mindful of how this Light is "meted" out to others at the risk of they, themselves, suffering even more repercussions.

In the Book of John, Jesus while speaking to His FATHER, discloses to His Disciples more details about this illuminating Spirit Light [Glory]:

“And now O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the GLORY which I had with thee before the world was. I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me, and they have kept thy WORD. Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast GIVEN me are of thee. For I have GIVEN unto them the WORDS which thou GAVEST me and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee and they have believed that thou didst send me.” (Jn. 17:5-8)

“And the glory which thou GAVEST me I have GIVEN them; that they may be one, even as we are one. I in them and thou in me that they may be made perfect in one: and that the world may know that thou hast sent me and hast loved me as thou hast loved me. Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am that they may behold my glory which thou hast GIVEN me, for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee, but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. And I have declared unto them thy name, and I will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.” (Jn. 17:

As followers and disciples of Christ, the going can be difficult, very difficult, at times. It certainly was not easy for His Apostles! It’s been said that the last mile is one that we travel alone and is the longest stretch. Indeed, much is required from whom much is given. But when we hear [understand] that the FATHER of Lights, the Son, the Holy Ghost and all the heavenly hosts are guiding us along every inch of the road that permanently leads to the top of the mountain, that last stretch of HIGHway is certainly worth all it takes to get there:  

 “Behold the hour cometh yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own and shall leave me alone and yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (Jn. 16:33)    

A couple of minutes after having heard the 8 spoken words: “Those Who Have” [pause] “Much Expected” [Pause} “It’s Not Easy” the Word “GOD” was softly spoken. It was humbly and instantly understood that GOD’s seal of approval was upon this message and that this Light was meant to be given/shared with you all. May these spoken and written words encourage, comfort and bless you as much as they have encouraged, comforted and blessed me.

“Then spake Jesus again unto them saying, I am the light of the world, he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (Jn. 8:12)

With Love in Christ, SilverRose