When Jesus turned the focus off of the fear of punishment and put it on God’s love for valuable mankind, he was empowered to lay down his life for us.

Jesus could have feared those in authority as they attempted to “ catch him”. Instead He chose to teach the people about the truth of God’s value system. God not only values and cares for the numerous creatures around us but even moreso, He cares for each human being created in His image. – Teresa #Hehearsthosewithevilintentions #loudandclear #Hehearsthoseineed #notforgotten

Luke 11:53-12:7 (ESV) 53 As he went away from there, the scribes and the Pharisees began to press him hard and to provoke him to speak about many things, 54 lying in wait for him, to catch him in something he might say.

Beware of the Leaven of the Pharisees

12 In the meantime, when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 3 Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.

Do Not Fear

4 “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. 5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell.[b] Yes, I tell you, fear him! 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies?[c] And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.