At the end of the Christmas narrative regarding the shepherds, in Luke 2:19, we read, “Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.”
Then, in Luke 2:41-51, we read:
Then, in Luke 2:41-51, we read:
41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. 43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. 44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. 45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. 46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. 48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. 51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.”
Mary had a secret and, later, Jesus had a secret as well. Remember what occurred at the wedding feast of Cana, in the second chapter of John:
1On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, 2and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine." 4"Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied, "My time has not yet come." 5His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." 6Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. 7Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim. 8Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet." They did so, 9and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now."
Mary had a secret and, later, Jesus had a secret as well. Remember what occurred at the wedding feast of Cana, in the second chapter of John:
1On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, 2and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine." 4"Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied, "My time has not yet come." 5His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." 6Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. 7Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim. 8Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet." They did so, 9and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now."
Repeatedly in the Gospels, Jesus told people not to tell anyone his true identity. Here are eight such instances:
1. Matthew 8:4Then Jesus said to him, "See that you don't tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them."
2. Matthew 16:20Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.
3. Matthew 17:9As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, "Don't tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."
4. Mark 7:36Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it.
5. Mark 8:30Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.
6. Mark 9:9As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
7. Luke 5:14Then Jesus ordered him, "Don't tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them."
8. Luke 8:56Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.
2. Matthew 16:20Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.
3. Matthew 17:9As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, "Don't tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."
4. Mark 7:36Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it.
5. Mark 8:30Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.
6. Mark 9:9As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
7. Luke 5:14Then Jesus ordered him, "Don't tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them."
8. Luke 8:56Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.
Line items 3 and 6 differ from everything else in the list, in that they specify that – after Jesus has risen from the dead, THEN the truth of his identity could be revealed…and this happened approximately 2,000 years ago…
…so why aren’t we sharing the secret?
2 Corinthians 4:3 says, “if our Gospel [is hidden], it is [hidden] to them that are lost.”
Romans 10:5-15 tells us, someone’s got to tell the world about the Gospel, and since it is easily on hand for us, we have no excuse not to:
"Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'" (that is, to bring Christ down) 7"or 'Who will descend into the deep?'" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." 12For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." 14How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
"Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'" (that is, to bring Christ down) 7"or 'Who will descend into the deep?'" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." 12For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." 14How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
We who know the truth, and have received it, have a responsibility to share the truth of the Gospel message with a lost and dying world.
John 14:17-21: “The worldly cannot receive the Spirit of truth, because they can’t see him, neither do they know him: but you know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see me no more; but you see me: And because I live, you shall live also. At that day you shall know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. Those that have my commandments [in their heart], and keep them, they are the ones that love me: and they that love me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love them, and will manifest myself to them.”
John 14:26 says, when you have a relationship with Christ, “the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, who the Father send in the name of Jesus, shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, everything I have said to you…[in the word, and in your hearts.” In verse 27 Jesus says, if you have a relationship with him, he will reveal to you his peace: “my peace I will give to you: which is not a peace like the world gives,” And then he adds, “don’t allow your heart to be troubled, and don’t be afraid.”
As we launch forward into the new year, we should take heart – be courageous – and boldly proclaim the Truth of the Word as God makes opportunities available to us…
John 14:26 says, when you have a relationship with Christ, “the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, who the Father send in the name of Jesus, shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, everything I have said to you…[in the word, and in your hearts.” In verse 27 Jesus says, if you have a relationship with him, he will reveal to you his peace: “my peace I will give to you: which is not a peace like the world gives,” And then he adds, “don’t allow your heart to be troubled, and don’t be afraid.”
As we launch forward into the new year, we should take heart – be courageous – and boldly proclaim the Truth of the Word as God makes opportunities available to us…
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