Jesus showed us that there are times when we must stand up and express truth to power in constructive, meaningful, unyielding ways despite the possible consequences. Just as God is righteously angered over oppression and injustice, so should we be.

Jesus makes it clear that emotional authenticity is the basis on which we build our spiritual relationship with God, because God knows our true identity inside and out. Jesus invites each of us to enter into this kind of integrated life.

Jesus expressed a wide range of emotions with his followers, but love was the foundation of them all. It was easy and honest and clear. It was fervent without shame or restraint.

It is difficult to sense the passion behind his words and deeds when reading the black and white texts in the Bible. But the Jesus we meet in the four Gospels is a man of sorrows, but also a man of joy.