PrintToday's "Moment With Mark" (23) -
5 December, 2012
Then Jesus sent him on his way and told him sternly, "Go right over to the priest and let him examine you. Don't talk to anyone along the way. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy, so everyone will have proof of your healing." Mark 1:43-45
"Sternly"? That can't be right. The very idea of Jesus speaking 'sternly' doesn't sit well with us (with the possible exception when Jesus challenged the Pharisees & Sadducees. But they needed a rev-up!) I'm puzzled. Why speak 'sternly' to him?
I imagine it was to make a point, to emphasise the importance of what He was about to say. Jesus certainly urged the man to obey the provisions of the Law. And the man's failure or unwillingness to 'keep it quiet' really complicated life for Jesus. Further along in Mark's gospel there are a couple of instances where news of Jesus' close proximity to the towns brought the crowds and hindered the ministry.
I have never heard a literal, audible voice from heaven and I'm not expecting to hear such a voice in the near future. But I have heard God speak to me in various ways. I recall one occasion when he used the story in the OLd Testament of Uzzah (2 Samuel 6/1-7) regarding a certain situation. As I read the story of how Uzzah reached up to steady the Ark of the Covenant and died, I heard the voice of God in my spirit say, "Don't touch it!!"
Let me tell you, He was speaking sternly!
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