To tell, or not to tell? That is the question!
by Pastor Peter Bean
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Jesus warned them not to tell anyone (Luke 9:21).
Read Luke 9:21–43a
This yo-yo set of instructions from Jesus continues. Perhaps not surprisingly, when we read verse 33, Peter did not know what he was talking about. (Don’t tell me God hasn’t got a sense of humour.)
Someone once told me that God was telling them to do this, to do that. My response (not the most subtle one) was to say, ‘It seems to me that God has been saying some crazy things lately!’
So, how do we work with these conflicting instructions from Jesus? How do we manage the words in verse 35: ‘This is my Son, whom I have chosen. Listen to him!’? A good starting point might be to begin listening to Jesus. To examine his life. To look at how he lived and treated people. To recognise him as truly human and truly divine.
Peter didn’t know what he was talking about because he got caught up in the moment. That can happen to us, too. Sometimes, when wonderful (or not-so-wonderful) things happen, we just want to blurt it out. But, sometimes, it is probably wise to wait, reflect, seek feedback and ask the Holy Spirit to guide us. That would seem to fit with the instruction: don’t tell anyone.
Then, when things begin to make sense, when we have looked through the eyes of Jesus and listened to him, it might be time to start telling. Note: this doesn’t mean asking, ‘What would Jesus do?’ And then attempting to do that; instead, it means walking with Jesus daily, spending time listening, seeking discernment from the Holy Spirit and trusted (and honest) friends, and considering the impact on others.
To tell, or not to tell? There is no right answer. But there is prayer, waiting, discernment and guidance from the Holy Spirit. And hopefully, a sense of peace, whether you speak or stay silent.
Jesus, help me to walk daily with you, be patient, listen carefully, and, at the appropriate time, speak words of grace, compassion, peace and hope. 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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