Scripture: Mark 8:30
Jesus ordered them not to tell anyone about him.
Thought for the Day: Unique to Mark’s Gospel is something scholars have referred to as the Messianic Secret. Unlike the other Gospels, Jesus tells many people – those he had healed, blessed or taught – to tell no one. It seems strange as it sounds counterproductive if we believe our task is to share the Good News. For the Gospel writer of Mark, the Messianic Secret is part of the larger point of the narrative – like a good preacher developing a sermon. Yet this quiet and behind the scenes approach that Jesus seems to take is a good reminder of how arrogance or seeking the spotlight is really not helpful when it comes to sharing the Gospel. The point is to guide people’s attention toward God, not toward self. In Sunday’s sermon I spoke about those times when we are simply unaware of someone else’s generosity or kindness, though we benefited because of what was done. These people fly under the radar, in part, because they do not seek attention. Sunday afternoon I received a wonderful email from a member of our church family, and this individual told me a story about her parents and the quiet sacrifices they made for her to attend college. They cashed in everything, even seeking out those in the community who might loan them money. It wasn’t until years later that she learned of all they sacrificed. There are times when we are simply oblivious to the kindness and generosity of others, and then there are those times when the givers were very successful in their plan of keeping it quiet. Maybe we will learn what really happened at a much later date, but some people do such a good job of concealing the truth that we will never learn the who or the how. Those are the times when it is ok to simply lift up a prayer to God that recognizes how God knows the whole story and can acknowledge our need to express gratitude even when we do not know where that gratitude should be directed.
Prayer: For all those who have given so much without a bit of recognition, I say Thank You! O Gracious God, it is these humble and compassionate individuals whose actions continue to draw our attention to you. These are your instruments of the Gospel. Amen.
