When I went through short-term missions training, I was taught a little bit about how to not be noticed while traveling to and from mission destinations. In third world countries standing out can be dangerous. One of the reasons I was taught to not stand out is because if you appear to be a person of means, it may make you a target for thieves, so it’s good to blend in.
We were taught very basic, common sense things, such as, to wear clothing that is neither new, nor flashy, to not wear any jewelry and, when paying for something, to only pull a very small amount of money out of our pocket and keep the rest of our money hidden somewhere not obvious.
Jesus didn’t have any fear of thieves, or anyone else for that matter, but He did have good reason to blend in and hide His true identity. He was the richest, most blessed person of all time but He appeared to be among the poorest of people. He didn’t carry around a change of clothing and He didn’t carry any money on himself. He either slept under the stars or in someone else’s home. His disguise was so good that His own followers often forgot who He was and doubted He was the Christ.
There were multiple times recorded in the Gospels that Jesus tells his disciples, “tell no one,” and the restriction placed upon them to not say anything was always in regard to His true identity.
Jesus was working on a divine timetable and everything He did was orchestrated perfectly to suit God’s pre-ordained schedule. The logistics of how everything worked together is unfathomable.
After His death, burial and resurrection, the restrictions were lifted and the time to proclaim Him to the world began. What began then is still going on today. We have no restrictions regarding the true identity of Jesus as Lord and Christ.
Where Jesus once told His disciples not to say anything, He now tells us to, Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…
And to, 1 Corinthians 9:14, …proclaim the gospel…
And to, 1 Corinthians 11:26, …proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
And, Ephesians 6:20, …in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
And, Colossians 1:28, We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ.
And, 1 Peter 2:9, …you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
And 1 John 1:2 & 3 – …and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us—what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.
The time of keeping the true identity of Jesus quiet has passed. We live in the time of proclamation! As the song says,
Oh, will you not tell it today? Will you not tell it today? If the light of His presence has brightened your way, oh will you not tell it today?
Much Love and thanks for the prayers on Kendall’s behalf,
Wes LeFlore (918) 607-8489 or huskerwes1@gmail.com
