Jesus Shushing

Would he today?

Most often, we assume that Jesus’ instructions not to tell anyone who he is are all about timing prior to the crucifixion. This seems sensible. His time “hadn’t come yet” and scripture is pretty clear about his glorification coming in and through the cross and empty tomb.

But do you ever wonder if he would say something similar to disciples today? What if his request/command not to blabber about who he is isn’t about timing, but rather, is about an incomplete understanding of who he is? (For instance, we’ll see soon enough that Peter, though his declaration of title is true, his understanding of purpose and action was way off.)

Frankly, it feels like a lot of people who know Jesus as Christ know him wrongly in person and action these days. It’s one thing to clamor loudly about who he is (King, Savior, Love, etc.) and turn around and act as though this kingship is about conquering hero or vanquishing god.

The world doesn’t need louder songs or more repetition about Jesus’ titles. The world needs demonstration of his heart, purpose, and action.

What does Jesus’ shushing look like today?

Matthew 16:13-20

Now when Jesus came to the area of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Human One is?”

They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.”

He said, “And what about you? Who do you say that I am?”

Simon Peter said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Then Jesus replied, “Happy are you, Simon son of Jonah, because no human has shown this to you. Rather my Father who is in heaven has shown you. I tell you that you are Peter. And I’ll build my church on this rock. The gates of the underworld won’t be able to stand against it. I’ll give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Anything you fasten on earth will be fastened in heaven. Anything you loosen on earth will be loosened in heaven.” Then he ordered the disciples not to tell anybody that he was the Christ.

Prayer

God,

Put a big old piece of divine duct tape on our mouths.

Does our repetitive singing of your name - be it via Handel or Hillsong - even sound good to you? Do our laws about bible behests and moral mandates even do anything for Jesus’ kingdom? Can we really defeat evil with a song, injustice with a melody? (Didn’t you tell us to lay our weapons down?) For thirty years, we’ve been singing about bringing you more than a song. But have we?

What’re we going to do, God? It just seems like we’re so distracted by so much.

So yes, put a big old piece of divine duct tape on our mouths.

Help me today, to understand your ways with my mind, to love them with my heart, and to declare your praise with my life.

By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.