St. Mark’s gospel is characterized by, what scholars call, the “messianic secret.” Jesus would downplay sayings or events which would lead people to acclaim him as messiah. For example, after healing a leper he said, “See that you tell no one anything.” But since listening to Jesus was no easier back in the day than it is for us: The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. The reason for the “secrecy” was Jesus knew how easily his mission would be seen in terms of miracles, healings, power. He was a messiah of compassion, service, sacrifice. We would not understand messiahship until the cross. The power we do have as followers of Jesus the Messiah is the power to forgive and to love.
