Jesus wanted His miracles to stay secret for 3 reasons
Jesus had a miraculous ministry of healing. I love reading about the responses of people who received His physical and spiritual healing. In the book of Mark, we read about four healings that have one main thing in common: Jesus didn’t want anyone to talk about them.
Jesus drove out demons from a man (Mark 1:34), He healed a man of leprosy (Mark 1:41–42), He raised a girl from the dead (Mark 5:41–42), and He made a deaf man hear again (Mark 7:35). All amazing miracles.
And all miracles that Jesus warned them not to tell others about.
He would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was (Mark 1:34 NIV).
“See that you don’t tell this to anyone” (Mark 1:44 NIV).
He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this (Mark 5:43 NIV).
Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone (Mark 7:36 NIV).
But I always wondered why He didn’t want them to share. I love to share about all the great things Jesus has done for me. Would He not want me to tell my family and friends?
Of course He does. But at one time in His ministry, Jesus asked those He healed to not tell others for a few reasons:
To avoid huge crowds
Jesus couldn’t enter a town without being mobbed by people. When news got out about His miracles, everyone wanted healing. Jesus’ mission was for more than just physical healings and the huge crowds made His ministry more difficult.
To follow the Law
Jesus wanted the leper to follow Old Testament requirements to be declared legally clean. He wanted him to go to the priest and make an offering for his cleansing before sharing with family and friends. Jesus showed that He wasn’t opposed to the Law, and not only obeyed the Law Himself but He was the fulfilment of the Law.
To keep His identity
The Jews were waiting for their Messiah. However, they expected Him to be a military leader who would free them from the oppression of Rome. Jesus was the Messiah and He came to free them but not in the way they expected. Jesus came to free them (and us) from sin.
Jesus wanted to share that He was the awaited Messiah in His perfect timing. He wanted His disciples to wait until after His resurrection.
“As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.” (Mark 9:9 NIV)
When the timing was right Jesus told His disciples (and all believers) to tell everybody about Him. This is the Great Commission.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you (Matthew 28:19–20 NIV).
Today, we know Who Jesus is and what He came to do and are free to share with others — we are encouraged to share.
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Want to dive deeper? You’ll find this story—and many more that reveal the beauty of our Triune God—in God the Father, the Son & Holy Spirit: Exploring Biblical Truths About the Triune God, available on Amazon.