Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. ~ Mark 7:36
In a world caught up in self-promotion, one might wonder why Jesus said, “Don’t tell anyone.” Why not spread his message? Why not let everyone be amazed at his power to heal? Why not give the people what they really wanted? But the reason why Jesus gave the command was that he wanted to give the people something better.
It is easy to want Jesus to be something he isn’t. It is just as easy to make him into something he never came to be. Jesus’ main purpose for coming into this world was not to make our earthly life easier. He came to provide rescue and relief from the crushing burden of sin.
It would be tempting to make Jesus into a physician, healing sickness. It would be just as tempting to make Jesus into a counselor, resolving personal problems. It would be even more tempting to make Jesus into whatever I would want him to be, making life better. There is only one problem. If Jesus didn’t perform to the level of my desire, I would eventually have little use for him.
So it is important to understand that Jesus came into the world to give me something better. He came to give me forgiveness to free me from the burden of sin’s guilt. He came to offer his life to rescue me from the punishment of death. He came to offer hope to release me from the fear of hopelessness. This is what I desperately need, and it is what Jesus graciously offers.
Jesus clearly proclaimed his reason for coming into this world. It was “to seek and to save what was lost” (Luke 19:10). Unfortunately, many rejected and still reject Jesus because he doesn’t live up to their expectations. I am tempted to do the same. The Bible, though, leads me to know Jesus and rely on him for what he came to do. When I trust Jesus as my Savior from sin and death, I really do have something better.
Prayer: Dearest Jesus, I come to you looking for relief and rescue. Give me the perfect help and healing you came to provide. Forgive my sins. Release me from the fear of death. Bless me with the hope of life in heaven. Amen.
Living Hope Church 