Jesus Orders the Crowd Not to Make Him Known

Text: Matthew 12:14-21

Reflection and Question: Matthew 12:16 and Mark 3:12 are almost identical in the original Greek, which translate as: “And he ordered them not to make him known.” In seminary they call this “The Messianic Secret” in which Jesus regularly warns his followers not to speak of His power or deeds. But, you say, Jesus meant to share as widely as possible the Good News of forgiveness and love. In this passage Matthew quotes Isaiah 42:1-4 to explain this contradiction: God’s servant “will not wrangle or cry aloud.” How do you reconcile The Messianic Secret and the Gospel proclamation?

Prayer: Most blessed Jesus, You are God’s beloved servant, God’s Child with whom God is well pleased, proclaiming justice to all the nations, the justice in whose victory we can all hope. The Spirit with You, You have shared with us. Thanks. Amen.

This meditation is based on the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).