Well-Kept "Big" Secrets
Mark 9:9-13
This particular section from the book of Mark is a media person's nightmare and may be why the secrets of Christmas possess their value.
Peter, James and John have been invited by Jesus to spend some time with Jesus. While they are with Jesus at this high mountain retreat, Jesus becomes transfigured, and Elijah and Moses show up at the same spot. If that were not enough for a thrill, a cloud appears, and out of this cloud comes the voice of God proclaiming, "This is my beloved son, listen to him." The cloud, and the prophets vanish and Jesus instructs his disciples to keep quiet until after the time of his resurrection.
Peter James and John in real terms had to be saying to themselves, "You have got to be kidding us." If we had been one of the disciples, how hard would it have been for us to keep our mouths closed? Most of us have a hard time not telling what we know even if it is shared with greatest of confidence. We all have dreamed of being the well placed source in a Pulitzer Prize winning news story.
Christmas however presents a different circumstance. Coming from the transfiguration, Jesus knew the story might lack credibility. He asked his disciples to wait until after the resurrection to tell the "rest of the story." The resurrection validates everything else.
There is no need to keep secret the Christmas Story. Peter, James and John were asked to put the story in their "figurative pocket" until a time when it was appropriate.
The Christmas story has never had a better place or time to be shared with its real meaning. May our actions and words tell that story loudly and with conviction.
Mike Bowen
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