Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” But they went out and spread word of him through all that land. It seems that people have had a hard time listening to Jesus right from the beginning! We think we know better — or at least what will be better for us. Take forgiveness, for example. Jesus could not be clearer that forgiveness should characterize his disciples. It is even woven right into his prayer. But we find it hard to forgive despite the command of the Lord. Or how about the command of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount: “stop worrying.” That’s another that we honor in the breach. Are we going to heed Jesus or insist on following our way?
