1:43,44
Jesus sternly warned the man. Jesus was not interested in popularity for popularity’s sake. He had a mission and He knew what it was. For the time being He was to preach the kingdom of God, to teach the kingdom of God and to demonstrate the kingdom of God. Later, He was to go to the cross and die on our behalf. Note also that the temptation of Jesus focused on getting Jesus to go down the cheap popularity route. So the man was instructed not to tell anyone. Instead he was to go to the priests and following the Law of Moses he would be declared clear, so he could function as a normal part of society again. Elsewhere Jesus says that He did not come to do away with the Law, but to fulfil it. We have an example of that here, yet so often churches seem to teach as if He did do away with the Law (in the sense of its ethical and moral demands).
1:45
The man paid no attention to Jesus’ instructions. This impaired Jesus’ ability to carry out His mission. He could not enter the towns because so many people would flock to see Him in order to get healed. We need to remember that medical services were virtually non-existent compared with today. And even today, if someone has a credible healing ministry (or even incredible) many will come, because there are still many diseases and conditions that we cannot heal. Jesus went to lonely places, but the crowds still came to Him.
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