Don’t tell anyone!
by Pastor Peter Bean
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Jesus told them not to tell anyone what had happened (John 8:56b).
Read Luke 8:40–56
Hang on a minute! Confused yet? Yesterday, we were encouraged to tell people how much God has done for us. Today, don’t tell anyone what happened! What does Jesus want of us?
If you read the whole passage today, it becomes even more confusing: verse 40 says a crowd welcomed him; verse 47 says all the people listened; verse 52 says all the people were crying; verse 53 says the people knew the girl was dead. Then Jesus restores her to life … albeit with only the father, mother, Peter, James and John present. And then Jesus says, don’t tell anyone!
What are her parents to do? Their daughter is alive again. Made whole. A feast is called for, surely! But Jesus tells them not to tell anyone what happened. Mmm! (And just to complicate things more, in tomorrow’s reading, Jesus sends out his disciples, who ‘preach the good news and heal people everywhere’ Luke 9:6).
I suspect this instruction (don’t tell anyone) has to do with timing and circumstance. While it is certainly important to share what God has done for you, there is a time and place. You can’t just go up to anyone and ask them to read the Bible with you; you can’t stand up in your workplace or student lecture and suddenly proclaim the gospel. The setting, situation and circumstances are important. People need to be ready to hear, listen and have their life changed.
Remember, Jairus (the father) was a leader of the synagogue. The leaders of the synagogues were some of the most outspoken of Jesus’ opponents. They wanted him stopped; they wanted him killed. But the time was not yet. (In Luke 22, it is the leading priest and older Jewish leaders who come with Judas to arrest Jesus.)
Jairus perhaps needed protection from himself. Imagine what might have happened if he had rushed off to the other leaders with this wonderful news that Jesus could raise people! Better for the moment to rejoice with those who were there and enjoy family time.
What is God’s timing for you? Is it the moment to share what God has done for you, or is it the moment to not tell anyone? Either way, the Holy Spirit is with you, prompting you to speak or stay silent.
Holy Spirit of God, Comforter, Companion, give us discernment to know the right time. Allow us to know when to keep our mouths shut and when to praise you as loudly as we can. Thank you for your timing in our lives. Amen.
In the early months of the year, Peter is often out in the garden, watering, picking and pruning – chasing the birds away from his fruit! Or he is indoors – stewing, drying, preserving. Peter also enjoys walking his dog, riding his bike, reading and spending time with his family. To keep out of mischief, Peter says he is currently teaching himself to play the piano and is writing a paraphrase of each of the Psalms – now up to Psalm 56.
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