Mark 1:42-4542And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed. 43And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away; 44And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, show thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. 45But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter. (Mark 1:42‑45)
“AND AS soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy darted from him, and he was cleansed.... And [Jesus] saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man:...”
The question is often asked: “Why did the Lord so often charge those whom He healed, to tell no one of the work?” We might think that He would have been pleased to have His works publicized. It was not, hover, the Lord’s desire to acquire the fame the world would heap upon Him as a worker of miracles. He did not come to glorify Himself, but to glorify His Father, and publicity, as such (now so popular with many in this world), was abhorrent to Him.
The Lord sought, and still seeks, those who would come to Him in faith and trust — aware of their need His heart ever responding to such. The crowds did not show this character. They came because of the miracles and the loaves and fishes which He gave them.
The leper, overjoyed with his healing, disregards the Lord’s request publishing it much and blazing it abroad — so that the Lord’s ministry was sadly hindered in the place, and he departs temporarily into the desert. How careful we must be to have the Lord’s mind in what we do. There may be a great deal of zeal and energy and a real desire to serve Him, but it can only be acceptably done if in conformity to the Word of God and in the character of a true dependent servant. (Refer to 2 Timothy 2:5, 155And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. (2 Timothy 2:5)
15Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15).)
There was one thing the Lord did request the healed leper to do: “Go,... show thyself to the priest” (in accordance with Lev. 14). In sending him to the priest the Lord was emphasizing before that official that divine power was manifesting itself through His own presence in Israel.
This should have spoken to the conscience of any thinking priest who saw the results of such amazing healing. The priest, in his official capacity, would then be responsible to receive or reject the works of Jesus as the tokens of the Redeemer of the nation.
The miracles of healing were part of the outward display of the power and authority of Jesus while here, a Man amongst men. This was confirmed by Peter who, through the Holy Spirit, stated in Acts 2:2222Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: (Acts 2:22): “Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by Him in the midst of you.”
We are no longer in a day of miracles — now having the written Word for our guide, and the Holy Spirit to touch our hearts, but can truly count it a miracle when the love of God transforms us from “the works of darkness” to become “children of light,” and His sons forever.
For a short period of time in the early days of the Church, after the Lord had returned to heaven, miraculous powers were given to the apostles, and a most solemn warning accompanies this information related in Hebrews 2:3, 43How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; 4God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? (Hebrews 2:3‑4): “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to His own will?”
There will indeed be no escape for those who neglect this great salvation.
ML-05/05/1963