The "secret" Christ

[B-A-C]

Matt 16:20; Then He warned the disciples that they should tell no one that He was the Christ.

Mark 8:29; And He continued by questioning them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter *answered and *said to Him, "You are the Christ."
Mark 8:30; And He warned them to tell no one about Him.

Matt 9:29; Then He touched their eyes, saying, "It shall be done to you according to your faith."
Matt 9:30; And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them: "See that no one knows about this!"
Matt 9:31; But they went out and spread the news about Him throughout all that land.

Luke 5:13; And He stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." And immediately the leprosy left him.
Luke 5:14; And He ordered him to tell no one, "But go and show yourself to the priest and make an offering for your cleansing, just as Moses commanded, as a testimony to them."

Luke 8:56; Her parents were amazed; but He instructed them to tell no one what had happened.

I just wonder.... why did Jesus often tell people not tell anyone what He did for them?
Of course many of them told many people anyway. But why... do you think He told them not to?

Matt 12:16; and warned them not to tell who He was.
Matt 16:20; Then He warned the disciples that they should tell no one that He was the Christ.
Mark 1:43; And He sternly warned him and immediately sent him away,
Mark 3:12; And He earnestly warned them not to tell who He was.
Mark 8:30; And He warned them to tell no one about Him.
Luke 9:21; But He warned them and instructed them not to tell this to anyone,

 

[KingJ]

God loves to help the needy, but is not boastful. He hates people coming to see 'Jesus the miracle worker' vs Jesus, our best friend / the guy over there who wants to know how we are doing / cares about and loves us. It is the whole reason mankind is on earth, whilst He is in heaven. He wants us to have 'faith' in His power. But 'know' His love.

1 Cor 13:4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

1 John 4:8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

All the passages you have quoted in your OP must be contrasted with these two:

Matt 7:22 - 23 Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles? Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!

Matt 16:4 A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah." Jesus then left them and went away.

 

[Born Again 2004]

I just wonder.... why did Jesus often tell people not tell anyone what He did for them?
Of course many of them told many people anyway. But why... do you think He told them not to?

I thought about this many times and what I come to understand the reason he did:

• He performed miracles because of purity and his love for another and he was gaining notoriety which he was Leary of.
• He performed miracles because of his perfect faith and love; he didn't do it for notoriety.
• Also, being truly man and at the same time fully knowing what his mission was, he was concerned about something happening sooner than it should. I think this shows that he was also truly man and could worry. I think it is appropriate here that the Bible said he even sweated blood because of distress.

 

[B-A-C]

John 7:10; But when His brothers had gone up to the feast, then He Himself also went up, not publicly, but as if, in secret.

 

[B-A-C]

* bump *

 

[Hekuran]

Jesus' ministry took place in a very complicated social and political context. There was Roman occupation, the background of violent nationalism and a corrupt priestly class that was amassing great wealth and power among the confusion.

My guess is that a large part of the instructions to keep quiet was Jesus was trying to manage and limit his own exposure. A tricky balancing act. The longer he could go under the radar of the powers, the more time he had to preach the good news to the poor and to establish a community that would flourish into the church. Knowing, of course, that a final clash with Jerusalem and Rome was inevitable.

 

[Brad Huber]

The quicker that He came to the attention of the pharisees and saducees through miracles, the quicker they would have to get rid of Him, and He needed time with His disciples to prepare them before He was crucified. Thats what my spirit tells me.

 

[B-A-C]

The quicker that He came to the attention of the pharisees and saducees through miracles, the quicker they would have to get rid of Him, and He needed time with His disciples to prepare them before He was crucified. Thats what my spirit tells me.

You could be right. Of course the Jews were looking for an Earthly conqueror, someone to "kick out" the Romans. It didn't quite work out that way.
Jesus defeated Satan and sin, and eventually He will set up an Earthly kingdom. This got me thinking, the Sanhedrin thought they were "godly" people. Perhaps they were thinking that when the Messiah came
and "took over" the world, that they wold just continue business as usual. Doing whatever the Saducees and Pharisees were doing at the time. ( It turns out mostly "ungodly" things. )
But I wonder, when Jesus comes back this time... how many people who "think" they are godly people, will just want things to go on the same way they always have?

Mark 7:7; 'BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.'
Mark 7:8; "Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men."
Mark 7:9; He was also saying to them, "You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition.

 

[Born Again 2004]

You either have God's free gift or you don't ; only He knows!

 

[B-A-C]

You either have God's free gift or you don't ; only He knows!

Long time no see, how are you doing BA2K4 ?

 

[Jonathan_Gale]

I just wonder.... why did Jesus often tell people not tell anyone what He did for them?
Of course many of them told many people anyway. But why... do you think He told them not to?

Because everyone would only come to Him for short-term benefits, for a quick fix, instead of eternal life. "Who do you say that I am?" That's a question we all have to ask ourselves. We've read him in the books, we've heard him from the pulpit, we've praised him in worship songs, we've watched him in the Passion movie and the Chosen series, we've seen his face on the Turin Shroud, we've even used his name as a swear word, we've got all these impressions from other people, in your question, he's a miracle worker, but is that all? At the end of the day, it comes down on the personal level, to the same question - "who do YOU say that I am?" Do we really know him? Or just know OF him? And more importantly, does he know us?

 

[Born Again 2004]

Jesus knew He had appointment with a cross and didn't want anything to interfere !

 

[Born Again 2004]

Long time no see, how are you doing BA2K4 ?

" Doing the best I can with what I got left!!

 

[watertolive]

Jesus knew He had appointment with a cross and didn't want anything to interfere !

MK 14: 35, 36
And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.
And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

All praise glory and honor be unto God.
Amen