What Jesus Did : Matthew 16:20 - Don't Tell ... Yet!
by Phil Ware
Don't Tell ... Yet! - Matthew 16:20
Then Jesus warned his followers not to tell anyone that he was the Christ. (ERV) Full TextKey Thought
One of the biggest mysteries of the Gospels over the years is why Jesus did not want anyone to tell others who he was. Some suggest it was just a psychological ploy to get the people to do just the opposite. Others suggest that he wanted to reveal his identity himself and not have it distorted by well-meaning but ill-informed people.
It seems to me that Jesus didn't want the people to go around saying who he is because this puts him in a mold, a category, a title, that the people of his day had pre-defined. Jesus wants to redefine the meaning of Son of God. He wants to re-wire the circuits of what people think that it means to be Christ, the Messiah of the Jews. So until he can live it and show it, he refuses to let others spread it. He will let his life, the cross, and his resurrection define his identity. Only then will he send his disciples out to tell the entire world who he is!
There is something wonderfully essential about the cross and resurrection that helps us define Jesus' identity. Without them, we are not only misinformed, but we are also without a true Savior!Today's Prayer
Thank you, God, for having Jesus reveal his identity rather than having his disciples distort the true message of Jesus' identity. As Immanuel, God with us, I know Jesus' ministry was your ministry and Jesus was your presence. Please give me more strength and great power in talking to others about this so they can come to know Jesus as Lord, too! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Today's Verses in Context
Jesus went to the area of Caesarea Philippi. Jesus said to his followers, "I am the Son of Man. Who do the people say I am?" The followers answered, "Some people say you are John the Baptizer. Other people say you are Elijah. And some people say that you are Jeremiah or one of the prophets. " Then Jesus said to his followers, "And who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus answered, "You are blessed, Simon son of Jonah. No person taught you that. My Father in heaven showed you who I am. So I tell you, you are Peter. And I will build my church on this rock. The power of death will not be able to defeat my church. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. When you speak judgment here on earth, that judgment will be God's judgment. When you promise forgiveness here on earth, that forgiveness will be God's forgiveness." Then Jesus warned his followers not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.-- Matthew 16:13-20 (ERV)
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