Boldness

Definition: Asserting the gospel of Jesus no matter what the consequences; proclaiming the words of Jesus without any vagueness or hiding.

Jesus’ Passion
Mark 8:31
Jesus knew that he was going to die. He declared it many times before the disciples. He knew who was going to kill him. But that did not stop him declaring God’s word to those who would kill him. In fact, he declared God’s judgment in spite of the consequences.

Mark 14:55-64
Jesus did exactly the wrong thing in this trial, if he wanted to be declared innocent. He allowed the false witnesses to say what they would, without defending himself. And when the high priest demanded a statement, Jesus declared exactly the wrong thing—that he was the Son of Man, seated at the right hand of God. He knew what their reaction would be to that truth. They would declare him a false teacher and want to kill him. But he declared the truth anyway, despite their reaction.

John 18:33-38
Jesus also said the wrong thing before Pilate. He declared himself a king, the very thing Pilate would interpret as rebellious. But Pilate saw through Jesus’ statement to the truth—that Jesus himself was not intending an insurrection, but would allow God to do it. Yet the crowd was able to use this statement to cause Pilate to kill Jesus, although Pilate found him innocent. The truth is dangerous in certain circumstances and Jesus was boldly proclaiming it, despite the evil that would befall him.

Jesus’ ministry
Luke 6:6-11
Jesus had already healed on the Sabbath. And he knew that there was a Jewish tradition that if anyone of Israel had violated the Sabbath three times, then they must be killed. The leaders of the Jews had already seen him violate the Sabbath twice, and they were looking to see if he would do it again. Jesus, however, was declaring God’s word that doing mercy on the Sabbath did not violate the Sabbath. Jesus looked at these leaders in anger, knowing that they would have him cause this man to continue in suffering. He declared God’s word and healed the man, even though he knew that they would want to kill him from that time.

Mark 11:15-18
Jesus had to make a bold statement that the temple was going to be destroyed. He did this in a very dramatic way, by scourging the temple. However, just in making this statement, Jesus knew that he would be despised and hated and that they would want to kill him for it. However, he did it anyway, for declaring God’s word is more important than the consequences.

Jesus’ teaching
Matthew 10:27-28
Jesus tells his disciples to proclaim his word. Jesus is having some of his teaching in secret before the disciples, but the disciples are to declare it openly. And they are to do this despite the consequences. No matter what the hatred, suffering and death they would have, they were to declare his word.

Mark 8:38
If anyone is ashamed of Jesus or his words, fearing the consequences they would suffer, then Jesus would give them even worse consequences—being ashamed of them on the judgment day.

NT teaching
Acts 4:18-20; 19-21
The apostles were told clearly that if they proclaimed the word of Jesus or the message of his death and resurrection, they would be punished and possibly killed. The apostles had two responses—they openly announced that they couldn’t stop speaking about Jesus and they prayed to God for boldness. God responded by giving them boldness.

Ephesians 6:19-20
Paul is asking for prayer that he would boldly declare God’s word even though he is already suffering consequences for it.

Consequences of boldly declaring the word of Jesus
Mocking friends (Luke 6)

Family members will reject. (Luke 14)

Authorities will do all they can to stop the message. (Acts 3-4)

Satan will attack you with temptations and persecutions.

Families will be divided (Matthew 10)

Societies will go to war.

Hatred will be stirred up. (Matthew 10; John 15)

The righteous will be tortured, beaten and killed. (John 15-16)

Blasphemies will be uttered in response to it—God will be declared weak, powerless and spiteful. (Ezekiel 36)

Lives will be destroyed. (Mark 10)

People will quit their jobs. (Mark 1)

People will give up all of their material possessions. (Luke 14)

People will surrender all they found worthwhile. (Mark 10)

Many will be judged by God. (Luke 10:)

Loss of sleep. (Matthew 8:24)

Lack of health. (Philippians 2:25-27)

Unsure where food and clothing will come from. (Matthew 6:25-32)

Inadequate situations to pray. (Mark 1:35-37)

Excessive stress.

Frustration with people who don’t listen. (Mark 8)

Homelessness. (Luke 9)