On Line Bible Study - For the week December 8 - 14, 2008.

Mark 1: 43Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: 44"See that you don't tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them." 45Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.

We have a little more business with the end of the first chapter of Mark's gospel. See that you don't tell anyone . . .

The occasions are numerous in this gospel when Jesus tells someone "not to tell". In Mark 1:25 Jesus tells an evil spirit to Be quiet! – presumably because the spirit knows that Jesus is the Holy One of God.

In Mark 3:12 Jesus tells the evil spirits not to tell others about him – this after they fall before him and cry out: You are the Son of God.

After healing Jairus' daughter Jesus tells those who had witnessed the miracle not to let anyone know about this . . . (Mark 5:43.)

There are instances where Jesus goes into hiding (6:31, 7:24, & 9:30).

He tells Peter, James and John to make no mention of his transfiguration until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. (Mark 9:9.)

And, there is the situation we have before us at the end of Mark 1. Don't tell this to anyone.

Why the secrecy? The sense of "mystery" is present not only in the Mark's gospel, but in many of the writings of St. Paul as well. So prevalent is this secrecy or mystery in this gospel, however, that over the years scholars have lumped these different scriptures together and speak of the "messianic secret". The don't tell – whether it refers specifically to who Jesus was, or to what Jesus had done – is put under this heading of the messianic secret.

So, again – Why the secrecy?
Three theories emerged:

1. The historical Jesus feared his followers, upon becoming convinced he was the Messiah, would stage a military revolt.

2. A second theory – the early church noted the tension between its belief in Jesus as Messiah and the fact that Jesus did not lay claim to this title during his public ministry.

3. The third – and the one that has gained the most traction – is that Mark was redefining the term "messiah" (and other titles associated with "messiah") in the light of Jesus death and resurrection. This is the reason Mark presents Jesus as trying to impose silence on the matter.

One last point to ponder regarding this story of the man with leprosy . . . Jesus touched the man, and in so doing he was breaking the law. By touching him, Jesus himself becomes "unclean". After his healing, the man disregards Jesus' command to be silent, and instead went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news . . . So, the humanity and compassion of Jesus trump the rule of law; and the liberating, exhilarating sense of freedom over-rules Jesus' demands for silence.

Can we get the picture – a God so close to us and feeling so much love for us that he is willing to break his own rules on our behalf; and us, so in awe of God's love and how that love is expressed to us that we just can't help but share the good news with others!

In so many ways, that's what "Christmas" – the incarnation is all about! Let the children throw off the wrapping and squeal for joy, and let them see the adults express the incredible joy that accompanies the awareness that amazing grace has come in the flesh, and its name is Jesus.

With this, I think we are finally ready to leave this first chapter, and head into Mark 2 next time. (A reminder that we are using the Sacra Pagina Commentary as a guide for the lessons on Mark.)