Jesus' Courage

While it may be surprising to speak of the submissiveness of a great man, we expect to see boldness and courage in the lives of those who have great impact, and we are not disappointed when we come to Jesus. Submissive—yes. Timid and fearful—absolutely not. It is this combination of qualities that we find hard to understand or implement, but which makes Jesus so unique and worthy of imitation.

Jesus’ courage is seen in various interactions but nowhere more clearly than in his confrontations with the religious leaders of his day. An intimidating group, they had power, position and prestige. He had none of these from a human perspective. He came from the wrong town, had no educational credentials, and his lieutenants were more common and unlearned than he was.

But once again, because of his unshakable confidence in his own identity and mission, he never missed a chance to challenge hypocrisy, duplicity and the self-serving hearts of those who should have been providing spiritual direction for the masses.

His challenges were not issued from afar. He marched in on their turf, into the temple itself, where they ruled the roost, and he turned over their money-changing (and money-making) tables, driving them out with sharp words of rebuke about turning a house of prayer into a den of robbers.

Submissiveness as a character trait did not mean silence or cowardice. It meant courageously giving up self for the good of others, neither holding back the message that others needed to hear nor failing to expose darkness for what it was. Jesus never held back. May God help us to be like him.