THE FEAR OF GOD IN THE TEACHING OF JESUS
Born in Nazareth, the Son of God enters the history of humankind with everything that determines this history. Time, place, language, culture, tradition and religion become decisive factors in the revelation of God and the transmission of the Gospel. Jesus comes into the world in the human family, which is inscribed in the long history of the chosen people. He finds Israel's rich heritage in his life. On the one hand, He preserves what constitutes the tradition of the chosen nation, and on the other – He transcends it and reveals its new aspects. As a Jew brought up in the tradition of ancestors and practicing their religion, adopts the concept of the fear of God from the writings of the Old Testament.
In the life of Jesus there are events that cause in their participants fear and apprehension and surprise. The shepherds in Bethlehem are terrified, when the angels proclaim the good news to them (cf. Lk 2:9), fear overtakes the Apostles, when, after the multiplication of the loaves, they see Jesus walking on the Sea of Galilee (cf. Jn 6:19), fear is felt by the witnesses of the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor (cf. Mt 17:6), as well as those who look at the works done by Jesus (cf. Mk 5:15; Lk 7:16). His Person and all that He does arise fear. The crowd listens to His words, looks at His works, and is full of admiration, but also fear. For Jesus speaks and does everything as if he were not only a man, subject to the forces of nature, but their master. These signs alone seem to be to prove who He is: like the prophets and yet different (cf. Mt 21:46)
This otherness, gradually revealed during His public ministry, will gain a new quality in moments of torment and death. Jesus dies on the cross like a convict, and yet His death is different from the death of the thieves crucified with Him. Only His death is accompanied by an earthquake and signs that cause fear even among the Gentiles (cf. Mt 27:54). All this indicates that Jesus is the Son of God. He is accompanied by the same signs in which Jehovah was revealed—although they differ in intensity and purpose: they are to lead to faith in Jesus as the true and only Son of God. Therefore, as the first, evil spirits recognize this new reality. It is they who clearly, without any doubt, declare that Jesus of Nazareth is a the Holy One of God and the Son of the Most High God. (cf. Mk 1:24; 5:7).
In His teaching, Jesus also refers to the fear of God, especially in the context of eschatological announcements. He often talks about the punishment waiting the people for their words and deeds, that the future judgment will concern every man and what he did or did not, as well as the intentions that accompanied human deeds. In the heart of man, there is what is for him the most important and what drives his whole life. In the interior of man, his true adherence to the Gospel also begins, which then is manifested in deeds. The judgment will therefore be conducted based on the Good News, of which the herald is the Son of God. Believing in Him and following Him is the only guarantee of receiving a future reward and avoiding punishment. According to Jesus' teaching, retribution is not just a possibility, but a sure thing: punishment brings suffering, and happiness brings reward.
That is why Jesus admonishes and warns man (cf. Lk 6:24-27; Mt 11: 22; 23:33), to give him a chance to make the right choice and change his behavior (cf. Mk 9:43; Mt 5: 30; 10,28). Man must fight and watch, for the time of the coming of the day of judgment, which is unknown. The Day of the Lord will come suddenly, like a thief, but the introduction to it is a choice made by man. The day of wrath is already – in misterio – present in the world, for the sake of Christ, whose Person and work introduce division among the people – between those who accepted Him and those who rejected Him (cf. Mt 12:30; Lk 12:51).
The fear to which Jesus points out in His teaching should lead to the authentic conversion of man. Fear of judgment and punishment cannot be the only motive for this fear. Jesus gives His life as a ransom for sinners (cf. Mk 10:45) and transforms man from a slave of sin into a free child of God. This new man lives with love, trust and hope, not fear and uncertainty. Although “Domini timor” can accompany the child of God, however, it is overcome by the assurance: "A great prophet has arisen in our midst, and God has visited his people." (Lk 7:16). There is no fear in Jesus' life, because as God, He cannot fear God. If He experiences fear, it is only an element of His human nature. The scene in Gethsemane contains moments of human horror, but ultimately also shows the strength of the Son's relationship with the Father: "Not my will, but yours be done" (Lk 22:42). This surrender to the Father is an expression of love, its summit, its perfection. The Son given up to the Father does not feel fear, for he has overcome fear by Love.
Until Tomorrow
fr. george