Once when Jesus was praying alone, with only the disciples near him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” They answered, “John the Baptist; but others, Elijah; and still others, that one of the ancient prophets has arisen.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “The Messiah of God.” He sternly ordered and commanded them not to tell anyone, saying, “The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” (Luke 9:18-22, NRSV)
Why should they not tell anyone?
I have to admit I have always found this line a little disturbing. When Jesus tells the disciples or someone He has healed, “Tell no one about this…”
Are we not suppose to tell about Jesus and what He has done for us?
Are we not suppose to shout it from the mountain tops?
It seems a little like reverse psychology here.. But no that isn’t it…
The ESV Study Bible says this about that line:
“Peter’s confession (v. 20) is correct, but proclaiming it widely at this time would be misunderstood because of Jewish nationalistic expectations and would make Jesus’ ministry more difficult, as people tried to force him into the role of a political and military leader against the Roman army.” (Lane T. Dennis and Wayne Grudem, eds., The ESV Study Bible (Accordance electronic ed. Wheaton: Crossway Bibles, 2008), n.p.)
So Jesus is not trying to keep them from telling, but is trying to keep the crowds that want Him to be king and a military leader to a minimum. He is trying to progress the plans and mission of God, rather than what man wants from the Messiah…
So God knows what He is doing, and sometimes we get glimpses of that too, just like Peter…
aSacredRebel 