For many years, I wondered why Jesus would tell some of those whom He'd healed NOT to say a word to anyone about it... to keep it a secret... to just be hush-hush about it and go on about their lives. Here are several incidents;
Matthew 16:20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
Matthew 8:4 And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
Luke 5:13 And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him. 14 And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
When I was younger, it befuddled me that Jesus would 'strictly charge' these people to NOT say a word to anyone, to NOT proclaim their good news, not to share such wonderful and many times utterly miraculous turn of events for their lives.
Yet... these people still told someone... these people still proclaimed the good news... in fact, by their very presence, these people gave witness and testimony to their encounter with the Lord, the blessing that had been bestowed upon them. That helped me to better understand why Jesus was so adamant that they NOT tell anyone... He is NOT a salesman He was not here on this planet 'pitching' a selfish plan. He said, "I am come that they might have life, and have it more abundantly", or as He stated in John 12:46; "I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness."
See... Jesus does not force Himself on us, He does not trick you into surrendering your heart and life... He merely heals you when you call on His name will 'see', as He stated in John 9:39; "And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind."
But, He may still be a quiet little secret to you... it may be that you have not really been touched by Him yet... one of the key ways you can tell... you have an unbelievable urge/drive to tell SOMEONE of this healing that occurred in your life. If you feel guilty that you are not telling anyone, you are likely NOT saved! I said it... I mean it... as does He. In fact, over in Luke 9:26, He told the crowd; "For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.", which is a reminder to us that our faith in Him and fellowship with Him can be so rich and deep... we don't care who knows... and in fact, 'want' them to know. Like the leper He healed in Matthew 8:4 (above), we just cannot contain ourselves. His touch impacts our lives physically, emotionally, and spiritually... a compelling change in your life!
Jesus' Little Secret is still relevant today. Sure, many preach, teach, and proclaim His love. The relevance though, is that when you accept the Lord in your life, you can not NOT tell others about it; you can NOT keep it quiet or to yourself; you can NOT stand the thought of others around you not knowing about this healing, about this life-filling solution that touches your very soul. Go ahead... just TRY keeping Jesus' Little Secret!