Mark 3:7-12 NRSVue
7Jesus departed with his disciples to the sea, and a great multitude from Galilee followed him; 8hearing all that he was doing, they came to him in great numbers from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, beyond the Jordan, and the region around Tyre and Sidon. 9He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush him, 10for he had cured many, so that all who had diseases pressed upon him to touch him. 11Whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and shouted, “You are the Son of God!” 12But he sternly ordered them not to make him known.
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Reflection on Mark 3:7-12
Inspiration from 2027-01-21 Daily Prayer
News about the healings of Jesus is spreading rapidly, and a ‘great multitude’ is flocking to him. However, his efforts to teach the people and lead them to greater understanding are frequently met with confusion and fear. His friends and followers remain ‘blind’ to his true identity. In contrast, however, the ‘unclean spirits’ recognise clearly who Jesus is.
There is a difference between knowing (intellectually) who Jesus is and knowing Jesus. Perhaps Jesus orders the unclean spirits not to make him known because he knows his followers are not ready to hear it. A faith based on miracles alone is incomplete. Yes, Jesus is the Son of God, but what will that mean for the disciples as they come face to face with the reality of Jesus’ impending death? What does it mean for us today?
Further reflection
Jesus recognized that there is a time for silence. I ask God to guide me to know when I might speak and when silence is my better witness.
People came to Jesus for healing; in his presence the attraction of light and wholeness was evident. As I spend this time with Jesus, I let him quell any spirits in me that are not for my good.
He ordered them not to make him known./ Since the prevailing idea of the Messiah was nationalistic and warlike, Jesus avoided giving a false and dangerous impression of his mission. Hence what has been called /the Messianic secret./
Lord, the unclean spirits recognised you as the Son of God, and so do I. The secret is out.
Jesus seems to want to remain as a bit of a ‘mystery man’. He is afraid that his works will show him just as a miracle worker. He wants us to see behind the miracles to the mystery of God and his life with his Father. Evil was challenged by him and saw him for the son of God that he was. The faith of the disciples would grow slowly and the mystery of his message would take hold gradually. Bring to prayer the ways faith has grown gradually and sometimes with difficulty in life and be grateful that even in bad times our faith in the mystery of God’s love has grown.