The notion that Jesus doesn’t what individuals to tell others what He did for you flies in the face of the great commission, Mark 16:15-17. Context and timing plays a crucial role in understanding Jesus words to healed souls. Nonetheless, Jesus regularly finished several of his healing encounters with “don’t tell anyone.”
Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t even go into the village,” Mark 8:26.
Perhaps, there are exceptions to this rule as in the passage in Mark 8. Afraid of crowds curtailing his ability to minister, Jesus likely wanted anyone healed, first to go home and tell his family what God had done. Since faith is personal, like a baptism where individuals make a public profession of an inner faith, testifying about a healing encourages those nearest and dearest to you to believe. In addition, Jesus didn’t want faith to become a fad, cool today and passe tomorrow.
Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you,” Mark 5:19.
While words can be beneficial, showing your faith by your actions is more valuable than anything you could say. The beginning of the Sermon on the Mount emphasizes the need to shine the light of Christ inside of you, adding flavor to the lives of those whom you come in contact with and meet. Therefore, Jesus doesn’t want people of faith to be silent. Rather, whenever you have the opportunity, Ephesians 5:14-16, let your light shine before mankind.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 