YouTube: The Messianic Dynamic
It is apparent that the bulk of Jesus’ audience were common people, probably peasants. Between the temple tax and the Roman taxes they were forced to pay, the financial burden was nearly impossible to bear. In contrast, the Sadducees and many Pharisees led lives of luxury. For the average person, the greatest appeal of the Messianic hope was economic freedom. When the Messiah came he would eliminate the Roman problem and cleanse the corruption from Jewish leadership.
Despite what the Gospels tell us, I believe Jesus intentionally distanced himself from the title of Messiah. There were times when he told people not to tell anyone who he was. Scholars refer to this as the Messianic Secret. Associating himself with Messianic expectations would detract from the spiritual aspect of his message. He spoke of an inner kingdom but his audience was looking for economic, political, and religious changes. Pilate believed Jesus when he explained that the kingdom he represented was spiritual, not of this world. Had Pilate not been convinced he would have executed Jesus for treason.
Jesus said he came to bear witness to a truth that would set people free. Yet nothing happened. He came and went and everyone’s life remained the same. This is why the whole notion of a second coming took hold. What Jesus did not do in the past, he will return and do in the future. It’s all of God’s plan. The real appeal of the Messianic hope is its promise of a new age of eternal life and economic freedom.
Jesus did indeed accomplish what he came to do. He bore witness to a truth that people simply did not understand. They were looking for one thing while he was trying to show them another. The movement that followed his death totally missed the mark and continues to this day to do the same.
Explaining how spiritual enlightenment can help one rise into a freer earthly experience is not an easy thing to do. Yet for those who have the ears to hear and the eyes to see, this is exactly what Jesus did. He tried to teach people how to invoke their own messianic dynamic.
J Douglas Bottorff 
Thank you for these wonderful early Monday morning messages I get to read in South Africa.
I have a contemplation ongoing regarding a concept I heard joel goldsmith mention in a video where he said that in the moment we repent we are wiped clear of all our sin and become white as snow.
A year ago when I was reading your articles on the 12 days of spiritual development I went for a walk after watching your video and by complete surprise, without any logical reason that I could fathom, I felt the belief of the karmic cycle lift out of my body and dissolve. Not that I was aware I believed that much in it until it disappeared. Since then the reasons have slowly been unfolding beautifully to give me understanding.
So these concepts have been lingering a while. My question – do you have an article already on repentance that may shed further light on the joel goldsmith line above or can you suggest other articles of yours that can further my contemplation?
Thanking you once again for such open minded refreshing reads.