Jesus promises (warns?) that our secrets will one day be revealed and that scares me. I’ve buried a lot of things inside me that I’d like to keep hidden. No, that’s not totally true. I’d prefer that they’d vanish. Then, I’d have nothing to cover up!
I’ve heard preachers insist that when we stand before God for judgment, He’s going to project onto a big screen all our thoughts, words, and deeds. Nothing left out and no one exempted. How embarrassing would that be? It would reduce me to tears! I suppose that’s why they attempt to soften the blow by reminding people that the Lord will wipe away every tear from our eyes. Why would we cry in heaven? Because we’ve been embarrassed!
To avoid humiliation, we need to behave perfectly, speak cleanly, and think purely. Of course, eternal blessings are more than worth the price of temporary degradation but still, how much do you look forward to your day of shame?
But is this what Christ meant when He announced the future unveiling of secrets? Let’s investigate.
In Luke 8:17, Jesus tells us that “there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.”
What’s hidden that will be revealed? Personal thoughts and behaviors? Things of which we’re not proud?
Or does He intend the realities of the kingdom of God? Jesus began the eighth chapter with the parable of the sower (vss. 5-15); with it, He described the different ways people respond to the Word of the Kingdom.
His point? The gospel will expose the condition of our heart; it will reveal our inner life. While that may sound bad, it’s actually good news. When we acknowledge our need, we’re ready to embrace the Savior.
Christ repeats Himself in Luke 12:2: “there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.”
Again, is He referring to our future embarrassment? No! Jesus is confronting religious hypocrisy (vss. 1-3). God knows who we really are. The gospel has a way of making evident what we try to conceal from others.
The good news is that we don’t have to pretend to be someone we’re not. To enjoy the benefits of God’s kingdom, we need only recognize our shortcomings and receive God’s provision in His Son.
Those who try to manage their lives without God’s help, risk being revealed. I know what that feels like and it’s intimidating. But also unnecessary.
Because we who avail ourselves of His grace find our sins forgiven and our hearts made right. No more shame, no lingering condemnation. In Christ, we have peace!
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