Holy Boldness

He addressed and explained what it was intended to convey. As a son, he was revealing something that no one had heard before. So what are the key issues that Jesus identified in these com parisons between the traditional understanding of the law and His own teachings? Jesus’ teachings established true love, humility, and integrity as fundamental characteristics of citizens of the Kingdom. Jesus’ teaching differentiates between outward observance and authentic conformity to the call of God. Integrity means that something is the same all the way through. Everything Jesus addressed revolved around the issues of truth and authenticity. These characteristics of Jesus’ teaching are some of what distinguished Jesus from every other “prophet” that has ever come upon the scene? Making things complicated and confusing is one way of main taining control of people. This was why Jesus challenged the religious order so deeply. He was cutting into their authority base by expressing deep truths in simple, understandable ways. The people gladly listened to Jesus. (Mark 12:37) And as he spoke to the masses with clarity and con viction, He was at the same time undermining the controlling methods of the religious elite. Jesus had an uncanny way of confronting the legalists, baiting them with unsuspecting questions, telling stories that exposed ulterior motives, all while defending sinners without compromising truth or condoning wrong behavior. He exposed people’s false motives without crushing them. He penetrated the depths of people’s hearts and it would shake them, take their breath away, and set them free all at the same time. As the Prophet Isaiah stated about His servant, “A bruised reed he will not break, a dimly burning wick he will not quench. He will faithfully bring forth justice.” (Isaiah 42:3). All this Jesus did seemingly effortlessly. Jesus’ ability to discern the core issue in every situation was due to the critical apparatus of the fear of the Lord. The Fruit of the Fear of the Lord

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