Basic HTML Version
42
Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers
the instruction He then gave them was not to be thrown broadcast
[35]
to the promiscuous company, for His words were designed for His
disciples only.
On several occasions when the Lord had wrought works of heal-
ing, He charged those whom He had blessed to tell His deed to no
one. They ought to have heeded His injunctions and realized that
Christ had not lightly required silence on their part, but had a reason
for His command, and they should in no wise have disregarded His
expressed desire. It ought to have been sufficient for them to know
that He desired them to keep their own counsel, and had good rea-
sons for His urgent request. The Lord knew that in healing the sick,
in working miracles for the restoring of sight to the blind, and for
the cleansing of the leper, He was endangering His own life; for if
the priests and rulers would not receive the evidences He gave them
of His divine mission, they would misconstrue, falsify, and make
charges against Him. It is true that He did many miracles openly,
yet in some instances He requested that those whom He had blessed
should tell no man what He had done for them. When prejudice was
aroused, envy and jealousy cherished, and His way hedged up, He
left the cities, and went in search of those who would listen to and
appreciate the truth He came to impart.
The Lord Jesus thought it necessary to make many things clear
to His disciples which He did not open to the multitudes. He plainly
revealed to them the reason of the hatred manifested toward Him by
the scribes, Pharisees, and priests, and told them of His suffering,
betrayal, and death; but to the world He did not make these matters
so plain. He had warnings to give to His followers, and He unfolded
to them the sorrowful developments that would take place, and what
they were to expect. He gave to His followers precious instruction
[36]
that even they did not comprehend until after His death, resurrection,
and ascension. When the Holy Spirit was poured out upon them, all
things were brought to their remembrance, whatsoever He had said
unto them.
A Betrayal of Confidence
It was a betrayal of sacred trust to take that which Jesus designed
should be kept secret, and publish it to others, and bring upon the