Open The Word | Fungua Neno

⏱️ 5 minutes.

Greetings beloved of God,

Today, let’s continue learning from the discourse between our Lord and His disciples following Peter’s confession:

And He warned them to tell no one about Him.
— Mark 8:30

We are immediately brought back to the theme of obedience to Christ’s instructions. After Peter rightly confesses that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, we might expect Jesus to command the disciples to proclaim this truth to every creature on earth.

Especially in light of the victory proclaimed in Matthew’s account:

And Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.”
— Matthew 16:17–18

This is a bold proclamation and an even bolder promise. Jesus assures the disciples that He will build His church upon this very revelation from God.

However, we are faced with a striking contradiction. Instead of encouraging His disciples to share this truth, Jesus strictly admonishes them not to tell anyone. The word Mark uses for “warned” implies a stern and serious instruction. Jesus didn’t just advise them; He commanded them not to reveal that He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God—at least not yet.

Once again, we are reminded of the importance of submitting to the Lord’s commands, even when they don’t seem to make sense to us. There are many times when the Lord will direct us in ways we don’t fully understand.

In such moments, we may be tempted to believe we know better than the Lord. We might question whether the all-knowing Governor of the universe has overlooked something. But this is the battle between our reasoning and our faith. By God’s grace, there are times when His instructions align with our own understanding. But there are also times when the Holy Spirit, through the Scriptures, calls us to do something that does not align with our natural reasoning.

It is in times like these that Paul reminds us:

for we walk by faith, not by sight—
— 2 Corinthians 5:7

A good example of such paradoxical instruction is found in the epistle of James:

Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials,
— James 1:2

A similar encouragement comes from the apostle Peter:

In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,
— 1 Peter 1:6

And likewise from Paul:

And not only this, but we also boast in our afflictions, knowing that affliction brings about perseverance;
— Romans 5:3

Another example is the apostles’ instruction to be subject to governing authorities—even though those authorities were often corrupt and abusive. As long as they did not lead believers into disobedience to God, the church was taught to submit:

Be subject for the sake of the Lord to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do good. For such is the will of God, that by doing good you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.
— 1 Peter 2:13–15

Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist have been appointed by God.
— Romans 13:1

Yet another example is the teaching that exaltation comes through humility, not self-promotion:

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,
— 1 Peter 5:6

And whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.
— Matthew 23:12

A man’s lofty pride will bring him low,
But a lowly spirit will take hold of glory.
— Proverbs 29:23

In this same way—consistent with all of Scripture—the Lord instructs His disciples not to proclaim this truth yet, but instead, strictly admonishes them to stay silent.

Later, we understand that the reason Jesus gave this instruction was that His redemptive work had not yet been fulfilled. The time for proclaiming the Messiah had not come—not until He had been lifted up on the cross and raised from the dead.

In God’s perfect plan, there was great wisdom in this timing. We must trust that Jesus does not issue random commands without reason. He sees what we cannot. He knows what is hidden. And every instruction He gives is in keeping with His divine will.

For that reason, we are called to trust that He will bring His purposes to pass—and that His will is indeed good and perfect.

I pray that even in those times when His commands are difficult to comprehend, we would, by the power of the Holy Spirit, submit ourselves to the leading of God, that we may fulfill His divine will.

Grace and peace.