A Lamp on the Stand

Jesus said the following: 

• "No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest,
  nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light. 
  Take care then how you hear, 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 8:16–18).
• "Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand? For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light. If anyone has ears to hear,
  let him hear. Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you.
  For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away." (Mark 4:21–25).
• "You are the salt of the Earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. You are the light of the world.
  A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they
  may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven." (Mat 5:13–16).

God wants his Word to be revealed. We don't have to hide from our unbelieving friends what God is doing in our lives. We can share it for them, see The Parable of the Sower. We have a responsibility and an obligation to God to do so. We don't have to be embarrassed for our faith, for believing in the Bible, see Fear of Man. God's Word is meant to be understood and revealed. Truth is meant to be known. 

The Bible isn't just for the elite or the highly educated, it's for everyone. A child can understand it, many times better than the adults, because their hearts are open
(Mar 4:23, Luke 8:18a, Proverbs 2:1–5, Isaiah 66:2b), see Who is the Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven? We can take what we hear and ponder it. God's Word must also be seen in how we live our lives and how we act towards others. 

We must also be careful which teachers we listen to (Mark 4:24, Luke 8:18a),
see Beware of false prophets in The Sermon on the Mount. 

Jesus said:

• "We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day;
  night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world,
  I am the light of the world." (John 9:4–5). See it explained at
  time 19:07–21:05 in John 9 • “I was blind, now I see.”.
• "If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him." (John 11:9b–10). See it explained at 
  time 6:19–8:17 in John 11 (Part 1) :1-44 • “I am the Resurrection!”.

Jesus also said about himself:

• "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12).
• "I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness." (John 12:46).
• "The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light." (John 12:35–36a).
• "for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.
  Walk as children of light" (Eph 5:8).

This means that we start our lives in darkness. It changes when we put our faith in Jesus Christ. When we live our Christian lives, we can either progress or fall away, either one or the other (Mark 4:25, Luke 8:18b). We should live our lives consistently with who we are now, as lights in the Lord. Speak the truth in love.

We need to study the Bible:

• "The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple." (Psalm 119:130), Psalm 119: Your Word is a Light On My Path.
• "For God, who said: 'Let light shine out of darkness', has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (2 Cor 4:6, Isaiah 9:2, Mat 4:16).

This light that Jesus has given us doesn't only illuminate our path and prevent us from stumbling in what is on that path. It illuminates us when it relates to God himself. Also remember the following verses:

• "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5–6).
• "For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." (1 Cor 1:25). 

The only reason to that Paul calls it the "foolishness of God" is because man sees it as foolish. In fact, it's wisdom to follow the Word of the Lord, even if there are times when it doesn't seem to make sense in the midst of what we are going through.

For information on other parables, see Jesus' Parables.