Luke 8:17-21

     There is nothing hidden that will not be made known. This comment follows the one about putting a light where everyone can see it. Barclay takes this verse to stress the impossibility of secrecy. There are three ways people try to keep secrets, Barclay points out--secrets from ourselves, secrets from other people, and secrets from God.
     So this section begins with pointing out that light’s purpose is only served by putting it in a prominent position so that all can see it. Though Jesus did not belabor the point, we know that the importance of light is that all can also see by it. Light changes darkness into light, it is an ancient symbol, it represents safety, hope and knowledge. The mention of light continues into the statement that secrecy is not permanent.
     Was Jesus saying that it is pointless to try and keep our Christian discipleship secret? That all will be revealed. Or was he saying that the truths of God will revealed to everyone?
     He did seem to be telling his followers to be careful, making a comment similar to what he said at the end of the parable of the talents. The one who has will be given to, and the one who has not shall have what they think they own taken away from them.
     The series of three comments is open to imaginative interpretation and is not easily explained. The first is widely interpreted and applied in terms of witness and discipleship. The second, more obscure, says that which is secret or obscure will be revealed. Then Jesus says to his followers that they should be careful in how they listen, for the one who has will receive more and the one without will lose.
      There is call to discipleship, promise of revelation, and the pointed reminded to pay attention. Some might interpret the words at the last as a threat, but it is true to life that those who pay attention get more out of life and those who fail to pay attention lose out.
     Whatever Jesus might have meant, the event which follows may have struck his followers as puzzling as well. They come and tell him that his mother and brothers are outside. We might think—family reunion time. Jesus said instead that his brothers and sisters who those who heard the word of God and did it.
     Jesus was not denying his family relationship, although he was using the opportunity to broaden it.
     Mary and his siblings must have had a difficult time with how the ministry of Jesus took him away from them. Though many if not all became faithful members of the church he established (James became bishop of the Jerusalem church), during this time of his earthly ministry, the gospels indicate that they struggled. He no longer belonged exclusively to them. Jesus must have loved his human family, but he couldn’t remain only Mary’s son and a loving brother.
     What is important to the followers of Jesus is his identification of them as family. Later this family would be called the church, a group that would be characterized by love.

If you had a chance to ask a question of Mary or the siblings of Jesus, what would you ask?
What is hiding in your life that you need/fear/hope to be revealed?
In what ways are you needing to pay more attention?
What do you think Jesus meant when he talked about light and hiddenness being revealed?