Day 04 of Journey Through Mark: THE MESSIANIC SECRET

COMMENTARY Many times in the book of Mark, Jesus makes a request that can seem baffling. Referred to by scholars as the “messianic secret,” Jesus frequently asks for His identity to be hidden. For example, when demons declare that Jesus is the “Son of God” in Mark 3:11-12, Jesus gives them “strict orders not to tell others about him” (cf., Mark 1:24-25, 34; 5:7-10). And Jesus doesn’t only silence demons. He also asks humans to keep His identity secret when they discover who He truly is (e.g., Mark 1:44; 5:43; 7:36; 8:26, 29-30; 9:9). This begs the question, why would Jesus want to hide His identity if it was central to the gospel that He would eventually want everyone to hear? Jesus’ secrecy could be explained in a few different ways. In some situations, Jesus may have been concerned about how this information would be used. This seems to be the case when He silences demons. Magic manuals written around this time give evidence of a widespread belief that exorcists could drive out demons by pronouncing the demons’ names. By pronouncing Jesus’ title, “Son of God,” the demons may have been attempting to outmaneuver Jesus and gain control of Him. In these situations, Jesus’ silencing of the spirits was a repudiation of their efforts. He would not be manipulated by them (cf. Mark 1:24-25). In other situations, Jesus’ secrecy may have reflected a concern about how people would understand His messianic identity. At that time, “messiah” was a politically loaded term, as was the title “Son of God.” “Son of God” was a title used for Roman emperors. “Messiah” was a title used by Jews to refer to the hoped-for Jewish king. Many of Jesus’ contemporaries anticipated that a coming messiah would free them from their subservience to Rome. As the Messiah, Jesus would confront the systems of sin and injustice that characterized the Roman empire. But Jesus wouldn’t accomplish this through military power. Instead, it would be through a life of service and suffering. Jesus asked people who recognized Him to conceal His identity until after His crucifixion because it’s in view of the cross that Jesus’ Messianic identity is most clearly revealed (Mark 9:9; 15:39). On this side of history, Jesus’ status as the Messiah is no longer something to conceal. Jesus asks that we share the gospel with others. But in doing that, we can’t misunderstand what it means to say He is the Messiah. Jesus isn’t someone we can manipulate for our own personal or political gain. He doesn’t accomplish His mission through force or coercion. If we are true followers of Jesus, then when we proclaim the gospel of the kingdom of God, we ought to do it by living lives of love, service, and sacrifice. SCRIPTURE MARK 3:7–35 CROWDS FOLLOW JESUS 7 Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed. 8 When they heard about all he was doing, many people came to him from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and the regions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon. 9 Because of the crowd he told his disciples to have a small boat ready for him, to keep the people from crowding him. 10 For he had healed many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch him. 11 Whenever the impure spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.” 12 But he gave them strict orders not to tell others about him. JESUS APPOINTS THE TWELVE 13 Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. 14 He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach 15 and to have authority to drive out demons. 16 These are the twelve he appoint- ed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter), 17 James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means “sons of thunder”), 18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot 19 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. JESUS ACCUSED BY HIS FAMILY AND BY TEACHERS OF THE LAW 20 Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. 21 When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.” 22 And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.” 23 So Jesus called them over to him and began to speak to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26 And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. 27 In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man’s house. 28 Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, 29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.” 30 He said this because they were saying, “He has an impure spirit.” 31 Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. 32 A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.” 33 “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked. 34 Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” REFLECTION 1. In today’s reading, Jesus faced backlash from His family for potentially imperiling their reputation and safety. When have you experienced similar pushback for living like Jesus? How did Jesus respond to His family, and how can this be an encouragement for us today? 2. Mark 3:29 contains a warning about what is often called the “unforgivable sin.” It’s important to understand that Jesus isn’t talking about just any random word spoken against the Holy Spirit. He is describing an intentional and ongoing denial of the Spirit’s redemptive work through Jesus. If you have any concern that you may have committed this sin, this is a sign that you haven’t, and you have no real reason to worry. Still, Jesus’ warning should make us cautious about demonizing others, especially those who claim to follow Christ. Why do you suppose we are so quick to vilify those we disagree with? What would be a more Christ-oriented way of engaging with those we don’t agree with?