The Sixth Sunday of Epiphany

Mark 1:43-44 Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: "See that you don't tell this to anyone."

The Messianic Secret is how scholars have often referred to this type of statement from Jesus. "Don't tell anyone!"

It was also the theme of the book that gave eventual rise to the What Would Jesus Do? movement, the early 20th Century classic, Tell No Man."

Many have interpreted this in the light of Jesus knowing that it wasn't time yet for such revelations.

No one that I have ever heard has ever overtly applied this to the world today. "Let's keep Jesus a secret" is not preached anywhere that I know of. But we sure are tempted to live that way.

I know there are times and places when I don't talk about what I feel Jesus has done with me. I know there are times when I admit that I am a Christian, but you know, I don't want to go too overboard with that religion stuff.

But perhaps part of it, too, is that if we do act and live as Jesus would, we don't need to talk about him. Things will happen in our lives that will be part of the witness, part of who we are at the depth of our souls.

Yes, I know that can be a cop-out. It can be the easier softer way that ignores the reality and power of Jesus in our lives. But I also know that when Jesus does something for me like he did for the leper I will not keep quiet. I may not shout it from a housetop, but I will talk about it.

Which is, in the end, what gives evangelism, ministry and mission the power to help change lives, including our own, with The Word.