And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.
–Mark 8:30

The first rule of Jesus Club?

You DO NOT talk about Jesus Club.

Hey, it’s not my idea. In the Gospel of Mark Jesus clearly says not to talk about him.

He says it 9 times.

He tells unclean spirits, bystanders, disciples, and people that he healed to keep their mouths shut.

Why? Maybe to keep people focused on his message more than his miracles. Maybe to control the gradual release of Good News.

There’s one option I’ve never considered before: What if we’re really supposed to shut up about Christ?

Well, for one thing, I’d be out of a job. And silence in the face of injustice is deadly. As a Christian, I just feel God leading me to speak up for the downtrodden. That feels like the right thing to do.

On the other hand, maybe we are a little careless about name-dropping Jesus.

I know we should be telling people about Jesus (I preached about evangelism last Sunday), but I don’t like the available options. Some Christians try to ram Jesus down people’s throats coercively. Others (more my brand) try to market church as a really great non-profit others would enjoy.

Maybe Jesus is suggesting a third option. Radical silence. I’m talking about contents under pressure silence. Silence that speaks more loudly than a Christian Nationalist ever could.

Instead of adding to the cacophony, we quietly simmer. Not in complacency, but with steadily building intensity as we work in mysterious ways. We’re still out in the word caring and serving and seeking justice, but beneath that all is something…subversive.

What if church today was underground, something revolutionary, even dangerous? Not violent like the “fight club” movie–but Kingdom of God powerful. Not announced with a Facebook post, but something only talked about in hushed, awed whispers.

“Jesus Club” would not be about performative actions, or brand promotion, or empty ritual. No, people would discover it out of their own desperation.

In our rush to “lay it all out there”, we may have forgotten that what we hold in our hand is to be treasured. A pearl of great price, not to be brandished like costume jewelry.

Honestly, I think Christ is supposed to be the worst kept secret in history. A priceless gift–not to clobber people with, but not to pass out like candy either.

Maybe this is all reverse psychology on Jesus’ part. He wants us to speak, but only when it improves a smoldering silence.

Do you feel that spark?

If so,

don’t fight it.

Have a great week,

Mitch