a story from mark

so i read this passage today and it really stood out to me. hope you likes it. :)

A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, "If you are willing, you can make me clean." Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediatley the leprosy left him and he was cured. Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: "See that you don't tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them." Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.
-Mark 1:40-45

at first glance it seems harsh and doesn't make sense that Jesus told the man not to tell anyone, i mean, if Jesus had just healed me of leprosy, i'd want to tell EVERYONE!!! but if the man had obeyed Jesus, Jesus could have helped so many more. Jesus didn't want to tell the people who he was - he wanted them to figure it out through the things that he did. he wanted them to believe in him. a silent testimony. how often am i like that man and jump the gun - not willing to simply and patiently give a silent testimony of the healing and hope that i have found.