The Messianic Secret (Part 2)
Written Apr 3rd, 2007 by Josh Rives | Email This
So why was it that Jesus tried to keep His identity a secret? We can preface this by saying that Jesus became more willing to publicly identify Himself as Messiah later in His ministry. Also remember that those He heals and commands not to speak of His identity, disregard it and tell others about Him anyways like the former leper in Mark 1:40-45.
Here are a few reasons why Jesus might have been somewhat secretive about His identity:
- The most common answer is that a publicly broadcast declaration would have made Him into a militant figure. Many think that the expected Savior was to be the Savior we know of in Revelation who wipes out entire armies. Claiming to be Messiah yet not restoring Israel to prominence was problematic for many, so He would be labeled as a heretic. The religious leaders would have had direct evidence to convict and kill Jesus much earlier had He done this. We would miss out on most of His teaching. Imagine how much shorter the Gospels would have been if He announced it first thing and then was killed.
- Another reason He was secretive could be to downplay His affect on the purely physical things. Jesus tells both demons and those He healed to be silent because curing physical ailments was not His primary goal. For example, do you get everything fixed your mechanic recommends or do you just try to patch it up so your car runs for tomorrow?
- If Jesus began His ministry claiming Himself as Messiah, He would have had nothing else to back it up. I bet David Koresh of the Branch Davidians would have had a little more clout if he had performed countless miracles before he declared himself Messiah. We can look back at Jesus’ teaching and miracles and see that they are consistent with what the Messiah should look like.
- I think a good final reason is explained by Jesus Himself in Mark 4:10-12. Jesus wanted people to be able to choose Him and determine from their own hearts and minds if He was Messiah. Of course how that free will balances with God’s sovereignty is a whole other Bible study.
This is not an exhaustive list of reasons at all. Feel free to leave some other possible reasons in the comments. Some theologians even think Mark crafted his gospel around the Messianic Secret. The first half Mark is allowing the reader to identify whether or not Jesus is the Messiah. And after Mark 8 when the disciples identify Him as Messiah, Mark shows us what kind of Messiah He was and how one might follow Him.
Jesus was not at all silent about being the Messiah, but it is obvious that He seemed to avoid projecting that out there to the entire world at certain times. Besides if everyone already knew for sure He was Messiah, what are Christians supposed to do after His death? Just show up and tithe?
References:
He (Jesus) also sought to give glory and attention to God the Father. To publicize His divinity in a way as to promote His status would be contradictory to the humility which marked His time on earth. see Phil. 2:6-8.