Holy Boldness

of Jesus’ words. This is the perfect mixing of metaphors to convey the delicate task of engaging an evil world without becoming prey to it. Jesus was sympathetic without being compromised, truthful without becoming jaded and condemning. The wisdom of God seems utterly foolish to men but Jesus’ mission required this kind of wisdom daily. One of the great challenges of ministry is to keep oneself un stained by evil, especially when its worst expressions are found among Christians. When a person expects goodness but finds the opposite, it’s heartbreaking. But the enemy squats wherever he can and often religious institutions are easy prey for deceivers. That is why one never knows what he or she will encounter in people, even in religious organizations or people of faith. Those who seek to bring genuine peace and freedom to those who have been exploited will often be ridiculed by the old guard as being naive and gullible. When genuine disciples of Jesus find their efforts successful, then jealousy will rise in those who have abandoned the true cause of the Kingdom. One of the critical signs of the apostolic is remaining hopeful in times of extreme distress. Jesus warned His apostles ahead of time what they would encounter. It was no surprise to Him and it must not be a surprise to us. Isaiah prophesied about the Messiah, “He will not be disheartened or crushed until He has established justice in the earth: and the coastlands will wait expectantly for His instruction.” (Isaiah 42: 4). Jesus did not lose heart and He prepared His disciples to have the same resil ience and consistency. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. (Matt 10:17-20) Jesus’ disciples were sent to the villages and cities with the good news of the kingdom but they were warned by Jesus that they would face conflict because bad people who exploit others for personal gain are never happy with the message of justice. The message of the Kingdom of God was highly disruptive because even the religious world is full of darkness. The message of the Kingdom threatened people in power because it insisted on a higher motivation and purity of heart. The Kingdom of

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