Whispers in the darkness

Under these circumstances, after so many thousands of people had gathered together that they were stepping on one another, He began saying to His disciples first of all, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. Accordingly, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed upon the housetops. (Luke 12:1-3 NASB)

In the original language, "what you have said in the dark" indicates something spoken in secrecy. "Heard in the light" references the illuminating light that makes things clear. This verse can be taken two ways, and I believe both are correct.

First, when we whisper secrets that we don't want heard, they will, all too often, find a way out and become public knowledge. If we don't want it known, we should not say it. 

Secondly, this is likely a prophetic reference to the time after Jesus' resurrection, when the disciples would be gathered together for prayer until the day of Pentecost. What was spoken of Christ in secret, in the hidden room where they sheltered, would be proclaimed for everyone to hear. The illumination of the Holy Spirit would make all things clear. When the Holy Spirit empowered them, the disciples would not hold back. They would share Christ with boldness and power. 

When we combine verse 3 with the verses that follow, speaking of coming persecution, it confirms the reference to whispers of Christ. Our faith should burn so brightly within us that we cannot keep silent about the wonder of Christ's redemption, no matter the cost.

Christians in this country have not yet experienced the kind of persecution that has been seen in other places around the world. It may come here as well (and almost certainly will). When persecution comes, our job will be no different. We are to follow Him and proclaim the good news that Christ died for sinners, just as we do now.

Therein lies the rub, doesn't it? If the good news of Jesus were dependent upon the way I share it with those around me, how far would it spread? How widely would it be proclaimed? What if the cause of Christ were dependent upon how you share Him with those around  you? If we don't share our faith with others now, it is not likely we will share our faith in times of persecution and danger. 

If we are to share Christ when times are hard, and we are, we must be willing to share Him when times are easy. Just to be clear, a hard time is not when someone thinks you are a fanatic or says a few harsh words to you. 

A hard time is when a soldier clad in black holds a knife to your neck and threatens to cut off your head if you do not deny Christ. 

A hard time is when a soldier with a gun threatens to kill your child if you do not recant your faith. 

That is a hard time. 

Nothing we have faced in this country compares.

Am I sharing the good news of Jesus with those around me? Am I making disciples? If not, how do I expect my faith to withstand hard times? How will I be faithful then?

If we have accepted Christ, we must follow Him. If we follow Him, we must share Him. 

It's that simple. 

It's also that hard. 

There is a decision to be made. Will I follow Him? Will I share Him no matter the cost?

but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, 

but is to glorify God in this name. (1 Peter 4:16 NASB)

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Father, help me to follow You faithfully, no matter the cost. Help me to share the good news that Christ died for sinners, of which I am chief. May honoring You be uppermost in my heart, in my words and actions. In the name of Jesus, Amen.