25. Don't Tell

"But he took her by the hand and called out, 'Child, get up!' Her spirit returned, and she got up at once. Then he directed them to give her something to eat. Her parents were astounded; but he ordered them to tell no one what had happened." Luke 8: 54-56

*****

 

You came to spread the word--

to tell the world about God's love

That all were saved

That the least of people would be the greatest in heaven.

You worked miracle after miracle

for the least of people

here on earth

and could have--

maybe should have--

used each person's voice

to point to heaven,

to speak of God's love.

Yet instead

you said,

"tell no one"--

told the healed blind man and leper,

resurrected little girl and

even your disciples

to remain silent,

to say nothing

about what they'd seen

and you spoke yourself hoarse--

spoke yourself to the cross--

instead.

A paradox

that you were

the Word

but told them

not to say a word

about it.

 

And here we are today surrounded by people

talking about you

and I'm thinking you were onto something, Jesus,

'cause the more they talk, the less I listen,

'cause a lot of the time, Jesus,

they sure don't sound like you.

Could it be, perhaps,

that we can't speak your Word?

Not fluently anyway.

That it's a language not meant for our tongues?

That the love you share

can be lost

in translation?

That instead we must remain silent--

use not our voices

but Your voice--

to live your Word

instead?