Friday, August 2, 2013

The Anger of Jesus

It's interesting how many Christians use Jesus' cleansing of the temple encounter as justification for their anger or temper tantrums (Matthew 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-19; Luke 19:45-48). However, they really have no idea why Jesus was angry or even the type of anger He expressed. But to answer the question, did Jesus really get angry? The answer is yes. John Mark illustrates this in Mark 10:13-16. In fact Jesus became indignant, which means He was very angry. His anger was primarily focused at His disciples, but it is also directed at anyone who feels that children are unimportant or anyone whom the world feels are of little value. Everyone has value in the Lord's eyes. Some people always assume that Jesus only showed love and meekness, which He did in all situations. But remember, Jesus was perfect, completely without sin. So when He became angry He was absolutely righteous in His anger. There was a sense of justice and purity in His anger, as it should be for us.
In Mark 10:13-16, some people, probably parents, were bringing their little children, to include infants to Jesus so that "He might touch them." His disciples rebuked the people and the children, and probably told them to leave Jesus alone. This angered Jesus greatly and He told His disciples to "let the little children come to Him." Jesus follows His command with this "Don't stop them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I assure you: Whoever does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." I can picture the shocked faces of those listening to Jesus. Jesus just said if you want to enter the kingdom of Heaven you must be like a little child. Undoubtedly, they were trying to figure this out in their hearts and minds and of course this is completely counter to the way the world thinks. What Jesus meant was that children receive gifts with anticipation, with joy, and with thankfulness. Although perhaps this is no longer the case for many spoiled children in today's culture, children receive without believing they did anything to deserve the gift. This is what happens when a person genuinely comes to Christ and receives Him as their Lord and Savior. They did nothing to deserve it, but God graciously grants them salvation. Little children have total dependence and trust in their parents, that is the picture of how we are to view our relationship with the Heavenly Father. Little children don't earn their food and shelter or even their birthday or Christmas gifts, they are gifts, just like salvation.
A question that is often asked is would Jesus get angry with the social issues of today?.....Absolutely. Why? Because Jesus was righteous, pure, and holy and possessed all of the attributes of the Father. All things were created through Him and He was the Word become flesh, thus He was God in the flesh.

If you don't think Jesus would be angry about abortion, then you don't know Jesus.
If you don't think Jesus would be angry about homosexual marriage, then you don't know Jesus.
If you don't think Jesus would be angry about child slavery, then you don't know Jesus.
If you don't think Jesus would be angry about crony capitalism, then you don't know Jesus.
If you don't think Jesus would be angry about out of wedlock births, then you don't know Jesus.
If you don't think Jesus would be angry about cohabitation, then you don't know Jesus.
If you don't think Jesus would be angry about pornography, then you don't know Jesus.
If you don't think Jesus would be angry about obesity, then you don't know Jesus.

I could go on and on, but this is who Jesus was, fully man and fully God at the same time and perfect in every way. Jesus got angry and we should to, especially on the issues listed above. However anger changes when you know Christ and so will your response.


 

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