You Talk Too Much

Matthew 9:31-32

When I was in 5th grade, I learned a song that went like this:

You talk too much you worry me to death
You talk too much you even worry my pet
You taaaaa-ah-ah-ah lk; You talk too much.

This song fits well the end of the story of the blind men receiving their sight. Jesus forbid them strongly not to tell anyone about the miracle. But they did just the opposite; they talked and they talked a lot.

Everyone learned about the miracle. Granted, they probably thought Jesus was just being modest, and they were excited. Good news is hard to keep quiet.

But why did Jesus tell them not to speak? I think there are several reasons. One Jesus was trying to avoid creating a show. If you think about it, his first miracle of turning water to wine was hardly crowd wowing. People barely even knew what he had done. Later in his ministry when his popularity was at its height, he purposely walked away when the people tried to crown him king. He knew his priorities and becoming an earthly ruler who could amaze people was not very high on his list.

I think he also told them not to speak because he knew how people chasing miracles might slow down his ministry. Yes, he wanted to draw all people to him but getting overwhelmed by crowds of people too early in his ministry might limit his capacity to reach out to others.

Jesus often referred to "his time". He knew, like Solomon, that there was a time for everything. By talking too much, the formerly blind men may have rushed the timing that Jesus had for his ministry.

I'm still learning the lessons that Jesus had for the blind men. "Do not discuss this" is very difficult to do in a culture that loves the confessional. I pray that what I say will never hinder Jesus ministry the way that the formerly blind men's talking too much did.