Fear Or Awe

Prior to the Cross, Jesus went into the Temple and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers. He said, “Is it not written, My House shall be called by all nations The House of Prayer? But you have made it a den of thieves!”  Then the leaders sought how they might destroy Him: for they feared Him, because all the people were astonished at His doctrine” (Mark 11:15-19).

Jesus’ truth produces two very different responses – fear or awe. The corrupt leaders feared Him because His truth exposed them as frauds - and this word is “phobia" - a true "Christophobia." They feared losing their tyrannical grip over the people because of His truth. They feared His miraculous power, and they feared His words of coming accountability – and this is the same reason rulers today fear Him.

By contrast, the common people heard Jesus gladly because they knew truth and righteousness when they heard it.  To be “astonished” at His teachings is to be left in awe; to “be amazed” or, as we would say in our day, “to be blown away.” Jesus words were “with power” and He taught as “One having authority,” while revealing God’s compassion for the people. He took the Words of God and made it “honorable.”

Jesus exposes hearts. Evil trembles with fear. The honest tremble with awe. When He overturned the tables that day, He gave a small foretaste of His coming righteous indignation against wickedness. It does our hearts good today to rest in the knowledge that The Lamb returns as The Lion; The Servant returns as King of kings; The Pardon returns as the Judge.

Stand in awe of Him!

(Devotional by Lisa Cataford)