Issue 735 – Shh! Don’t Tell! – May 5, 2022
If you enjoy Gleanings, please take a moment to like the post and write a comment. It helps significantly with the Facebook Algorithms.
If you are a Twitter user, please follow us at https://twitter.com/GleaningsWord/.
When I first began reading my Bible, I came across something repeatedly that made me wonder, why? It made no sense to me at all.
Throughout the gospels, Jesus works miracles of healing and even the resurrection of the dead. Then He tells the impacted party(s) not to tell anyone.
Jesus heals a deaf man. “And Jesus charged them to tell no one. But the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it.” Mark 7:36
He healed a leper. “And he charged him to tell no one, but “go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as Moses commanded, for a proof to them.”” Luke 5:14 (Mark records this same event in chapter 1 of His gospel.)
Jesus raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead, “And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.” Mark 5:43.
It wasn’t just to the crowds that Jesus told not to share. On at least one occasion He instructed His disciples not to say anything.
Jesus took three of his followers upon the mountaintop, where they witnessed the transfiguration. What an incredible foretaste of Christ glorified, and to see Moses and Elijah as well. WOW!
Once again though we read, “And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.”” John 7:6
I could cite many more examples of Jesus instructing people not to tell of the most incredible events. How could that be? Why would He do so?
If someone had just raised my child from the dead or cured me of an incurable disease, my first instinct would be to tell everyone I knew. If I saw Christ gloried and heard God speak His approval, I would want to share.
Indeed telling others would bring glory to God, wouldn’t it?
There is undoubtedly a sense of awe accompanying such things, and God would be glorified. Yet something greater was at stake. What could that be?
Fast forward to the time of Jesus’ ascension. He is giving His followers their marching orders. It is a familiar passage.
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
The disciples are to go and tell everyone in the world. What changed?
Jesus completed His earthly mission. He has died to propitiate the penalty for our sin. He has been buried and resurrected as promised. Now, the disciples have the fullness of the gospel.
Yes, Jesus healed and raised the dead. He worked all kinds of miracles, but they are not the gospel. They are the signposts to the gospel.
Today many proclaim signs and wonders, better marriages, greater happiness, prosperity and more as the gospel. If it is His will, Jesus can provide those things, but that isn’t the gospel.
The gospel is that Jesus came, lived a sin-free life, and died on the cross for the sins of the unforgivable. He was raised from the dead, ascended into heaven and will return for us. All this is available through faith alone.
We could add more detail, but that is the nuts and bolts of the gospel. The fact that we are sinners isn’t the gospel. The gospel is the truth that can set those sinners free.
The Lord can do many things; in fact nothing within His will and character is impossible. Still, the primary ministry of Christ was to bring sinner’s restoration.
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. Luke 19:10
We can share our stories and experiences; in fact we ought to do so. Yet, the most important command is to go and make disciples.
Will we do that?
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)
Be blessed.
Kevin.
Gleanings From The Word.
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (for the glory of God alone.)
_____________________________
All contents are © 2001, 2022 K. F. “Kevin” Corbin and Gleanings From The Word.
Check us out on the web at https://gleaningsfromtheword.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Retalk.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version (ESV). Spelling modified to Canadian English as required.
____________________________
#devotional #biblestudy #dailybible #bible #love #joy #gleanings #KevinCorbin #jesus #god #faith #christian #Christ #Father #bibleverses #prayer #church #forgiveness #Holyspirit #pray #jesuschrist #worship #Biblereading #believe #dailybiblereading #dailybible #devotional #discipleship
#gospel #donttell