The Shy Savior

Throughout the gospel of Mark Jesus repeatedly instructed people to keep quiet about Jesus’ miracles. At first glance this may seem a bit contradictory. Jesus went through the countryside, preaching, but whenever he did something amazing, he tried to hush it up. He didn’t want celebrity or even servants. He desired to be loved. He sought friends. This and a bit of reflection on human nature makes Jesus shyness understandable.

Celebrity makes friendship unlikely. People will flock to a celebrity for many reasons that have little to do with love, from gaining notoriety of their own to enjoying the perks of someone else’s celebrity. In such a rush of people, finding true friends becomes difficult. The mettle of friendship is not tested by the thronging adoration of the crowds. Many people can put on a friendly face in such circumstances. It is when the persecution begins that only true friends can be found close.

And Jesus, coming in the form of a servant, sought such friends. For the most part he concealed his power and glory. He only allowed his three closest friends to see his glory, and (as expected) he warned them to not tell anyone until after his resurrection.

Consider how people would have responded had Jesus come in his glory and his power. Some would still have opposed him though only briefly. Others would have recognized the opportunity presented by his appearance. They would have sought to ingratiate themselves, seeking to become the greatest cabinet member in this new administration. But this is not how in happened.  â€œHe was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” (Isaiah 53:3)

Not only is this how it happened. This is how Jesus wanted it to happen the first time around. He was shy to display his power and glory before those who did not love him, and he did no miracles where there was no faith. Next time he will return to earth as the conquering hero. Some will undoubtedly try to get in good with him on false pretenses, but he will already know who his friends are. We will be the ones who have chosen to love him even though he didn’t spare the lives of our fathers, brothers, or sons. Our love for him is not because of our health or wealth. It comes from our foundational knowledge of him as the Creator.

Our true love is his desire. By his shyness during his time here on earth, he guaranteed himself true friends.

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