Confronting Holiness: The Fear and Cost of Jesus
Summary
In reflecting on the life and ministry of Jesus, it's intriguing to note the dichotomy between how people today often view Him as a great teacher or prophet, and how His contemporaries reacted with hostility, ultimately leading to His crucifixion. This raises the question: why did so many people hate Jesus during His time on earth? The answer lies in the profound impact of His holiness and authority, which exposed the true nature of those around Him.
One illustrative episode is found in the Gospel of Mark, where Jesus calms a storm on the Sea of Galilee. The disciples, seasoned fishermen, were terrified by the sudden tempest. Yet, when Jesus commanded the storm to be still, their fear shifted from the natural elements to the supernatural power of Jesus. This fear was not of the storm but of the divine presence that could command nature itself. It highlights a deeper truth: the presence of God is more fearsome than any natural disaster because it reveals our own inadequacies and sinfulness.
Sigmund Freud suggested that religion arises from humanity's fear of nature, but the disciples' reaction to Jesus challenges this notion. Their fear was not of the storm but of the holiness and authority of Jesus, which was unlike anything they had encountered. This fear of the divine is echoed in another event where Peter, after witnessing a miraculous catch of fish, asks Jesus to depart from him, recognizing his own sinfulness in the presence of divine purity.
The Pharisees, considered the most righteous people of their time, were among those who clamored for Jesus' death. Their self-righteousness was exposed as fraudulent in the light of Jesus' true holiness. This exposure of hypocrisy and sin is what made Jesus a threat to them. His presence was a mirror reflecting their true nature, and they could not bear it.
In our own lives, we often react similarly when confronted with true holiness or excellence. It can be intimidating and unsettling, revealing our own shortcomings. Yet, it is in these moments that we are called to humility and transformation, recognizing our need for grace and redemption.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Fear of Divine Presence: The disciples' fear during the storm was not just of the natural elements but of the divine authority of Jesus. This fear reveals a deeper truth about the human condition: we are more unsettled by the presence of holiness than by any natural disaster. It challenges us to confront our own inadequacies in the light of divine purity. [07:02]
2. Holiness Exposes Hypocrisy: Jesus' holiness exposed the Pharisees' self-righteousness as fraudulent. This exposure is what made Him a threat to them. In our lives, true holiness can reveal our own hypocrisy and sin, calling us to repentance and transformation. [12:16]
3. The Peter Principle of Spiritual Awareness: Peter's reaction to the miraculous catch of fish was to recognize his own sinfulness in the presence of Jesus. This awareness of our own shortcomings in the light of divine holiness is a crucial step in spiritual growth and humility. [21:06]
4. Human Reaction to Excellence: Just as people can be intimidated by those who excel, we can be unsettled by the presence of true holiness. This reaction challenges us to examine our own lives and strive for genuine transformation rather than being threatened by others' excellence. [23:19]
5. The Cost of Holiness: Jesus was ultimately crucified not for His teachings on love and kindness but for exposing the sin and hypocrisy of those around Him. This reminds us that true holiness often comes with a cost, as it challenges the status quo and calls for genuine change. [24:12]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:31] - The Dichotomy of Jesus' Perception
- [01:15] - The Storm on the Sea of Galilee
- [02:43] - Freud's Theory and the Disciples' Fear
- [04:06] - The Natural Fear of Divine Authority
- [05:31] - Jesus Calms the Storm
- [07:02] - The Fear of God's Presence
- [09:52] - Xenophobia and Fear of the Holy
- [11:24] - The Pharisees' Hostility
- [12:53] - The Curve Buster Student
- [15:19] - The Clergyman's Dilemma
- [16:37] - The Miraculous Catch of Fish
- [18:28] - Peter's Recognition of Sinfulness
- [21:06] - The Peter Principle
- [23:19] - Human Reaction to Holiness
- [24:12] - The Cost of Holiness
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Mark 4:35-41
2. Luke 5:1-8
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Observation Questions:
1. In the story from Mark 4:35-41, what was the initial reaction of the disciples to the storm, and how did their fear change after Jesus calmed the storm? [01:56]
2. According to the sermon, what was Sigmund Freud's theory about the origin of religion, and how does the disciples' reaction to Jesus challenge this theory? [04:06]
3. In Luke 5:1-8, what was Peter's response to the miraculous catch of fish, and what does this reveal about his perception of Jesus? [17:50]
4. How did the Pharisees' perception of their own righteousness change in the presence of Jesus, according to the sermon? [12:16]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might the presence of divine holiness, as seen in Jesus' calming of the storm, be more fearsome to people than natural disasters? [07:02]
2. How does the sermon suggest that true holiness exposes hypocrisy, and why might this lead to hostility towards Jesus? [12:16]
3. What does Peter's reaction to the miraculous catch of fish teach about spiritual awareness and humility in the presence of divine power? [21:06]
4. How does the concept of "xenophobia" relate to the human reaction to Jesus' holiness, as discussed in the sermon? [09:52]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt intimidated by someone's excellence or holiness. How did you react, and what did it reveal about your own insecurities? [23:19]
2. The sermon discusses the cost of holiness and how it challenges the status quo. In what ways might you be resisting change in your own life due to fear of exposure or transformation? [24:12]
3. Consider the "Peter Principle" of spiritual awareness. How can you cultivate a greater awareness of your own shortcomings in the light of divine holiness? [21:06]
4. How do you typically respond when confronted with your own hypocrisy or sinfulness? What steps can you take to embrace humility and seek transformation? [12:16]
5. The disciples' fear shifted from the storm to Jesus' divine authority. How can you shift your focus from external fears to a deeper reverence for God's presence in your life? [07:02]
6. In what ways can you strive for genuine transformation in your life rather than feeling threatened by others' excellence or holiness? [23:19]
7. How can you apply the lesson of the Pharisees' exposure to your own life, ensuring that your righteousness is genuine and not just for show? [12:16]
Devotional
Day 1: The Fear of Divine Presence
The disciples' fear during the storm on the Sea of Galilee was not merely a reaction to the natural elements but a profound response to the divine authority of Jesus. When Jesus calmed the storm, their fear shifted from the tempest to the realization of the divine presence among them. This fear reveals a deeper truth about the human condition: we are often more unsettled by the presence of holiness than by any natural disaster. The divine presence challenges us to confront our own inadequacies and sinfulness, urging us to recognize our need for grace and transformation. [07:02]
"For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God." (Deuteronomy 4:24, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel unsettled by the presence of holiness, and how can you invite God's grace to transform those areas today?
Day 2: Holiness Exposes Hypocrisy
Jesus' holiness exposed the Pharisees' self-righteousness as fraudulent, making Him a threat to their established order. The Pharisees, who were considered the most righteous people of their time, could not bear the exposure of their hypocrisy and sin. This exposure is what led them to clamor for Jesus' death. In our lives, true holiness can reveal our own hypocrisy and sin, calling us to repentance and transformation. It challenges us to examine our lives honestly and seek genuine change rather than hiding behind a facade of righteousness. [12:16]
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness." (Matthew 23:27, ESV)
Reflection: What areas of your life might be a facade, and how can you begin to seek genuine transformation in those areas today?
Day 3: The Peter Principle of Spiritual Awareness
Peter's reaction to the miraculous catch of fish was to recognize his own sinfulness in the presence of Jesus. This awareness of our own shortcomings in the light of divine holiness is a crucial step in spiritual growth and humility. Peter's response exemplifies the importance of acknowledging our limitations and sinfulness when confronted with the divine. It is in these moments of recognition that we are called to humility and transformation, understanding our need for grace and redemption. [21:06]
"But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, 'Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.'" (Luke 5:8, ESV)
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper awareness of your own shortcomings in the presence of God's holiness, and what steps can you take towards spiritual growth and humility today?
Day 4: Human Reaction to Excellence
Just as people can be intimidated by those who excel, we can be unsettled by the presence of true holiness. This reaction challenges us to examine our own lives and strive for genuine transformation rather than being threatened by others' excellence. The presence of holiness or excellence can reveal our own insecurities and shortcomings, prompting us to either resist or embrace the call to change. It is an invitation to reflect on our own lives and seek to grow in areas where we may feel inadequate. [23:19]
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." (Philippians 2:3, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways do you find yourself intimidated by the excellence of others, and how can you use this as an opportunity for personal growth and transformation today?
Day 5: The Cost of Holiness
Jesus was ultimately crucified not for His teachings on love and kindness but for exposing the sin and hypocrisy of those around Him. This reminds us that true holiness often comes with a cost, as it challenges the status quo and calls for genuine change. The cost of holiness is the willingness to stand against hypocrisy and sin, even when it leads to personal sacrifice. It is a call to live authentically and courageously, embracing the transformative power of holiness in our lives. [24:12]
"Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." (2 Timothy 3:12, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where embracing holiness might come with a cost, and how can you prepare yourself to face that challenge with courage and authenticity today?
Quotes
Have you ever noticed something that I at least find strange about people who are not professing Christians? That they sometimes are very hostile towards Christians and hostile to the church, but you almost never hear them say unkind things about Jesus. They are not willing to affirm his deity or that he is the savior of the world, but they will usually say that he was a great prophet or a great teacher or a great man. [00:00:06]
And people are so kind in their assessment of the historical Jesus that it makes me wonder what it was about him that so infuriated many of his contemporaries that they actually clamored for his blood and of course they executed him. So as nice as we are about Jesus from a safe distance of about two thousand years if we go back in time and look at the period in which he was walking around this earth, you know, we find all these people who hated him. Why? [00:00:37]
Well I think there are a couple of episodes recorded for us in the New Testament that’ll give us an inkling at least as to why so many people hated him. And the first one is found in the gospel according to Saint Mark where we read in the fourth chapter and the thirty-fifty verse these words. Mark says, “On the same day when evening had come he said to them, ‘Let us cross over to the other side.’ [00:01:15]
And when they had left the multitude they took him along in the boat as he was. And other little boats were also with him. And a great windstorm arose and the waves beat into the boat so that it was already filling. But he was in the stern asleep on a pillow. And they awoke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’ And he arose and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Peace, be still.’ [00:01:42]
And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. And he said to them, ‘Why are you so fearful? How is that you have no faith?’ And they feared exceedingly and said to one another, ‘What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?’” I find this an extraordinary narrative and I have a special interest in it because I used to teach a course in the seminary on atheism. [00:02:23]
And I required my students in that course to read the original works of some of the most brilliant and formidable advocates of atheism. And I noticed particularly among 19th century atheists that there was a common strand of thinking among them where people of that ilk were trying to explain why it is even though there is no God there are so many people who are religious. [00:02:57]
And one of the most important voices from that period was that of Sigmund Freud. You’ve all heard of Freud who is regarded as the modern of psychoanalysis . . . er . . . the father of modern psychoanalysis. Freud came up with the thesis that the reason why religion emerges in history is out of people’s natural fear for the forces of nature. We’re afraid of tornadoes, we’re afraid of hurricanes, we’re afraid of floods, we’re afraid of diseases that can invade our bodies and destroy us, we’re afraid of death and so on. [00:03:27]
And he said it’s out of this fear of nature that we create religion. We create a God who rules over nature that we can talk to, that we can plead with, that we can try to butter him up with our praise and worship so that maybe he will steer the tornado in another direction. And so for Freud it is the fear of nature that causes us to be religion . . . religious. [00:04:12]
Well here we have a story in the New Testament where the disciples meet one of these fearsome natural forces. They’re on their way across the Sea of Galilee. And remember they are seasoned veterans – fishermen. They are accustomed to the vagaries of the winds and the currents and so on. But where that lake is situated in the Middle East, it happens to be arranged in such a place where there is almost like a wind tunnel from the Mediterranean Sea that sometimes a storm will come flowing through that wind tunnel and hit that sea without any warning and turn it into a tempestuous . . . uh . . . catastrophic . . uh . . . natural disaster. [00:04:54]
And that’s what happened. While they’re going across the sea, suddenly this fierce storm arises and the wind starts blowing a gale and the water is turbulent and is boiling up and is filling the boats and threatening to capsize them. And all this time Jesus is sound asleep in the back of the boat. Now the scriptures tell us that the disciples are frightened and so they run to their leader and they shake him awake and they said, “Lord, do something or we’re going to perish right here on this sea!” [00:05:31]
So Jesus stands up, looks at the waves, looks at the turbulent waters, and he shouts a command saying, “Peace! Be still!” And instantly the sea is like glass, there’s not a zephyr blowing in the air and everything is absolutely calm. Now what would you expect that the reaction of the disciples would be at that? You would think they’d throw their sou’westers in the air and say, “Thank you, Lord for removing the threat of nature from us at this moment so wonderfully!” [00:06:13]
But what happens? The Bible says they became very much – exceedingly – afraid. You see this is the point that Freud didn’t consider. That even though we may be afraid of hurricanes and floods and fires and other natural disasters, there’s something that is more frightening to us than the wind or the sea. It’s the presence of God. [00:06:50]
You see when the disciples saw Jesus tame the storm and the sea by the mere force of his command, they stood back in horror and they asked the question, “What kind of man is this? What kind of person is this?” Now think about that. You meet new people all the time. You walk down the street and you see strangers coming and you know that there are people walking around out there who are strange to you. [00:07:23]
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