God Is with Us in the Wilderness

There is an interesting theme in the Synoptic Gospel Narratives (Matthew, Mark, and Luke, each to their own degree) called the ‘The Messianic Secret.’  This theme is that for most of those Jesus heals he then instructs, “See that no one know of this (the healing)” (Matthew 9:30b).  Did Jesus heal you from a skin disease (leprosy)?  ‘Say nothing.’  Did Jesus cure your child?  ‘Do not speak of it.’  Did Jesus exorcise a demon from you?  ‘Speak not of this.’  You get the idea!

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The amazing thing is that they don’t listen.  All the people were too amazed by what God/Jesus had done for them; they cannot do anything but tell those that they interact with about God’s works!  Either people see the healings that Jesus is doing, or they tell what Jesus has done.
          

“As Jesus went on from there, two men who were blind followed Jesus, crying loudly/shouting, ‘Have mercy on us, Son of David!’  When he entered the house, the men who were blind came to him; and Jesus said to them, ‘Do you believe that I am able to do this?’  They said to him, ‘Yes, Lord.’  Then he touched their eyes and said, ‘According to your faith let it be done to you.’  And their eyes were opened.  Then Jesus sternly ordered them, ‘See that no one knows of this.’  But they went away and spread the news about him throughout the district” (9:27-31 emphasis added).

God’s work cannot be contained.  Or at least not kept quiet.  As I reminded us on Ash Wednesday, ‘It’s not about getting praise for ourselves; rather, it is about giving glory to God and making God known to others.’  I presume most of you have noticed many people joining us for worship lately.  They come because God has brought them here.  They stay to worship, fellowship, and journey closer to God with us because of you!

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With that, I invite you all (especially longer termed members) to connect with folks who are newer to our congregation.  Anyone who’s been attending with us less than 5 years (and I still include my family in this).  And take time to get to truly know them: share a meal, a coffee, a walk, a beer, and a dedicated time to hear their stories and their experiences.  As we in the office are working to get our new photo directory ready; we notice all these folks, and we want/encourage/implore you to do the same.  Don’t keep silent about the works God has done, is doing, and we hope will continue to do that we see here at St. James.  Amen.