“…but He charged them to tell no one what had happened.” (Luke 8:56)

Today’s Sermon in a Nutshell:

“…but He charged them to tell no one what had happened.” (Luke 8:56)

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It’s somewhat interesting, but periodically throughout the gospels when Jesus performed great miracles and signs, He then requests the people NOT to discuss or publicize them – as in the case of the raising of Jairus’ daughter. This request for silence is often referred to by many scholars as the “messianic secret.” By way of explanation, it appears that our Lord was reluctant to encourage the people’s messianic expectations because they had, over time, reimaged the Messiah (Anointed One) from being a spiritual Savior who would deliver them from sin into a worldly, triumphant, nationalistic liberator who would deliver Israel from the harsh Roman occupation. Yet just as Jesus resisted the devil’s world-focused temptations in the desert, over the course of His ministry He also resists the temptations of the Hebrew nation who simply wanted to turn the Messiah into an earthly king. 

Fr. John