I've Got To Tell Somebody! All That Jesus Has Done For Me!

A number of time in the Gospels, after Jesus did some miracle of healing, He told the ones healed not to tell anyone.

I’ve always been kind-of puzzled by that….

I guess its because Jesus knew that people weren’t ready to receive the greater truth of who He was – God, and that things would become a circus of sorts, where mobs of people were coming to Jesus just to see some amazing show. Even King Herod wanted to see Jesus perform some miracle, but it seems he was just interested in seeing something “magical” or showy because when Jesus did nothing, Herod was angry and mocking. (Luke 23:7-11).

Still, from the perspective of the one who experienced the miracle, the one who saw their life change for the better right before their very eyes, I can’t imagine trying to keep these miracles quiet. And some didn’t.

Even the very sight of the leper who was cleansed (Matt. 8, Mark 1, Luke 5) would have told those who saw him that he was healed. I’m sure that would bring on an onslaught of questions all by itself. “Is that really you? How did you get healed of your leprosy? Who healed you?” How in the world was the former leper supposed to answer those questions honestly?! “Well, this great Prophet healed me. But I’m not supposed to tell you His name!” Of course, for this leper, he was told to go to the priest and show himself, which was the first step in legally being declared clean. So, Jesus was following the Law. But what about after that? Was he still supposed to not tell?

There are other instances too, where Jesus told the healed not to tell. There were the 2 blind men in Matt. 9, a multitude in Matt. 12, a deaf man and a dumb man in Mark 7, and a blind man in Mark 8. Some were “strictly charged” the Bible says, not to tell anyone.

The story that probably gets to me the most is the raising back to life of Jairus’s daughter. I love this story, and can hardly get through it without tears. I have written a children’s lesson about it, here. I love this song by Don Francisco fittingly named “Gotta Tell Somebody” about this story. (And the partial inspiration for my title to this post!) Listen to it, and you will feel the emotions bursting through the characters, both before and after the raising.

Wow, Jesus, what were you thinking?! How in the world could they not tell anyone! Now, I know that Jesus knew He was asking the near impossible. And I’m also sure He knew who would and who would not follow His instructions. I’m also equally sure that Jesus had His very valid reasons for requesting this. We are just not told exactly what they were. So I respectfully ponder this.

Probably He meant for a time, or till He was out of that territory, just so He wouldn’t be swamped with huge multitudes needing healing, or just wanting a show, or a sight to see, keeping Him from doing the broader work of teaching and preaching, and eventually dying & rising. Jesus was also being sought out by the Pharisees, and religious rulers who were looking for a way to sabotage His work, so maybe that was part of the reason. His time had not yet come, and He had to be one step ahead of those Pharisees.

I don’t know for sure the answer to this question of why… The Bible doesn’t make it entirely clear. But thankfully, we are not told to keep it quiet anymore – all that Jesus has done for us!

We are told to “Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature!” (Mark 16:15)

And “Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” (Matt. 28:19-20)

In Romans 1:16, Paul states – and we should echo this, “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto Salvation to every one that believes”

I have to tell somebody!

I am not always faithful about this, and yes, I sometimes get scared, but more and more, I just want to shout it out from the mountaintops…. Jesus saved me from hell, and sin, and eternal death, and gave me Life and Friendship with God, and Forgiveness!

I AM A NEW CREATION!

I AM A CHANGED LIFE! BECAUSE OF CHRIST!

I was a sad, broken child, when Christ redeemed my life. You can read my salvation testimony here. I know who I’d be if it weren’t for Christ. I know where I was headed. He literally changed the direction of my whole life.

No matter where you are now, He can do that for you too. He can change your direction. He can turn your life around.

I see so many out there who are believing this world’s lies; lies for happiness, fulfillment and peace. Only Jesus can give you those things.

I see so many who want to walk with a foot in both worlds.. the devil’s and Jesus’s. It doesn’t work that way. You will not have true joy until you make Jesus the Lord of your life. He doesn’t want to limit you. He wants to give you the desires of your heart! He wants to give you abundant life! He isn’t out for your momentary pleasure; He wants to give you a lifetime of Joy and Peace and Friendship with God Himself. WOW! And not just for this lifetime, but for all Eternity to come.

“For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Matt. 16:26

We are here but for a moment. And we don’t even know how long that “moment” might be. “Whereas we know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is a vapor that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” James 4:14

What do I want to tell you about God? The list would be limitless, but mostly I would tell you the following:

God has never failed me. I have failed Him, but He has never failed me.

God’s love for me is Amazing! Far greater and deeper than any earthly love I have ever experienced. He knows the worst thing we’ve ever done, and yet He loves us anyway, completely and unfailingly.
“Herein is Love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation (atoning sacrifice) for our sins.” 1 John 4:10

God forgave me for ALL my sins when I asked Him to. Past, present and future. I owe Him my eternal love & gratitude for that one! By the power of His precious & perfect blood, shed for me on the Cross of Calvary, and the victory of His Resurrection 3 days later, He washed away all my sins – as far as the East is from the West, and He remembers them no more. I now have a right relationship with God, thanks to my Savior, Jesus.

God is worth dying for, and He is worth living for. I am thrilled that He wants to live life with me, and I want to live my life with, and for Him. This world has nothing better to offer. Jesus has everything to offer me. Everything that is real, and good, and pure, and true, and honest, and enduring. I choose Jesus.

Of all the things I would tell you, I would fervently and earnestly tell you, to Let Him In. Let Jesus in to your heart and life. Let Him change you from the inside out. Let Him take all the broken pieces of your life, and make them whole again. Let Him have all the hurts, and failures, and sins, and shattered bits of your life, and Let Him Redeem them. Restore them. Forgive, and heal you. Only He can do that. He is the Risen Lord, and a very Personal Savior. He desires a true Relationship with you. Let Him in and start that personal relationship today.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will sup (fellowship) with him, and he with me.” Rev. 3:20

If you have never asked Jesus to be your personal savior, you can do that today. Pray from your heart of hearts, and tell Him something like this:

Dear Jesus,
I want you in my life. I know that I am a sinner, and I truly need a Savior. Please forgive me for all my sins. I know that you died a cruel death on the cross for me, taking the punishment that I deserve. I also know that you rose from the dead three days later showing your power and victory over sin, and death and hell. I now ask you to come into my heart and life and make me clean and new. Take my life, and make it what you want it to be. I give you my heart and life dear Jesus. Thank you for forgiving me, and thank you for saving me.

If you are already a saved believer, but are not living & walking with Jesus as you should, change that today. Make things right with Him by confessing (acknowledging) your sins, (1 John 1:9) and making Jesus the LORD of your life. Tell Him you want to do things His way and not your own. His way is soooo much better! You are not giving things up that are any good for you… you are gaining an Abundant Life of Peace and Joy and Fellowship with your Savior. He wants sooo much for you. Jeremiah 29:11 says “For I know the plans I have for you, saith the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a hope and a future.” (New Living Translation)

If you can trust Jesus with your eternal salvation, don’t you think you can trust Him with your earthly life? I would sincerely tell you that you can. I am living proof. Life has not always been easy, but it has been good. It has been hand in hand with my best friend. It has been joyful and full of a peace that passes understanding.

I’ve got to tell somebody, and that somebody is you! “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all thy ways, acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:4-5 “Delight thyself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.” Psalm 37:4-5 These are two promises I cling to on my journey. You can cling to them with me!