Shhh, Keep Quiet!

Normally, in the Bible when God tells people what to do or not do, if they do the opposite its consider disobedience and sin. Take the 10 Commandments for instance, “Thou shalt…” and “thou shalt not…” Even today we know what God requires of his servants and failure to follow through with the master’s directions is not tolerated.

Lately, I have been reading in Mark and have always been intrigued by the times when Jesus does something miraculous and then tells the people involve, “hey keep this all on the down low.” Sometimes I have wondered if this is Jesus practicing reverse psychology; telling people not to do exactly what he wanted them to do, knowing they would not listen.

Honestly, I am not satisfied with that idea. I really think Jesus wanted people to keep quiet when he told them to be.

In Mark 1 Jesus heals a man and says, “44“Don’t tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.”

Pretty normal. The offering the man was to give was to be the public declaration that he was healed. Nothing more was needed. However…

“45…the man went and spread the word, proclaiming to everyone what had happened.”

Disobedience and sin or excitement, celebration or praise? Look at what Mark records next…

“As a result, large crowds soon surrounded Jesus, and he couldn’t publicly enter a town anywhere. He had to stay out in the secluded places, but people from everywhere kept coming to him.”

Because of the man’s testimony of Jesus’ miracle, Jesus’ ministry was made more difficult.

So here is my question, “are there appropriate times not to speak the name of Jesus because it would actually make further ministry difficult or nearly impossible?”