Don't Tell Anyone I'm the Messiah

• Mark 8:29 (TNIV)
• Mark 8:30 (TNIV)

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For a long time now, I've wondered why Jesus continually tells his followers not to tell anyone. Why not? Why wasn't Peter supposed to tell anyone Jesus was the Messiah?

A more informative question might be "At this point in Peter's journey, what kind of Messiah would he proclaim?"

The answer might lie in the moments right before Jesus goes down to Jerusalem to die. After 3 years with Jesus, his disciples ask him when he's going to set up his militaristic kingdom and overthrow the Roman occupancy, Herod's gospel. Not only that, they want to be in charge in his kingdom.

See, Peter doesn't yet understand what his proclamation means. He's got the words right but not the meaning. Because the aspect of Messiah that Jesus was bringing then was that of sufferer, not conqueror (that will come later).

So it makes sense that he waits until after he's died and risen again to give his disciples permission to tell people what kind of Messiah he was. (see Matt. 28 Great Commission)

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