Mark 4:21-25 and Luke 8:16-18
“Notice what you notice.” …for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away (Luke 6:18). We saw this verse earlier in Matthew (and also today in Mark) – I remember texting about the word “has”. But Luke adds a caveat, “even what he thinks he has”. Those extra words jumped out. What we have – do we really have it or do we just think we have it? Because what we have today could be gone tomorrow!! Only our heavenly treasures will stand the test of time!
For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light (Luke 8:17). There is nothing in our lives that we have “hidden” that is not already known to God. And my sense from this verse is that this awful thing that we have “hidden” will become known to all the world at the Final Judgment. How embarrassing!! So, what to do? Confess! Confession is more than just “good for the soul”. Confession un-hides what is hidden. When we confess that “hidden” thing before God or to one another, that “hidden” thing is no longer hidden – it has “come to light” and, in my reading, is no longer fodder for the Final Judgment. And my guess is that unburdening ourselves from that hidden thing will fully lighten our loads in this present life.
Slava Bohu!