TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER

In Luke 5, Jesus healed a leper and then told him to tell no one. This could seem odd, since good news is usually meant to be shared. Jesus gave such orders often, though, and the pattern shows up across his ministry, especially in Galilee during the first year and a half. He even asked the family of Jairus not to spread word of his daughter’s return from the dead, which would have been hard to keep quiet. He repeated the request after healings in various places.

I believe the reason for this is in the message itself. Healing bodies, raising the dead, feeding the hungry and casting out demons did not make up the complete message. In effect, the people he helped were on hold until the cross and the resurrection had taken place.

Once those events were finished, the instruction changed. Jesus told his followers to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He had held people back earlier because the message was still unfinished.

That same message belongs to us today. Healing, food for the hungry and deliverance from demons were all part of what Jesus did, yet the message carried to the world is Christ crucified and risen again.

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

Mark 16:15