Jesus Can Relate to Our Anger – Thursday

Week 1 | Been There

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Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves.. (Matthew 21:12)

Do you ever get so angry that you feel the need to do something drastic? Jesus can relate. A few days before His death, Jesus had an eventful visit to the temple. While there, He flipped tables and drove all the merchants away with a strong rebuke. Why? What could make peaceful, grace-filled Jesus so angry?

In today’s reading, you’ll see that the temple had a problem—the outer courtyard had turned into a shopping center. Why does this matter? Because the outer courtyard of the temple was the only place where social and religious outsiders could come to worship God. A core theme of Jesus’ ministry was helping outsiders feel included. He constantly affirmed God’s love for everyone. He also challenged powerful people who felt that only certain people deserved God’s care. So He walked into a place designed for worship, but there were no worshipers. Why? Because powerful religious insiders allowed shopkeepers to drive away worshipers. Of course Jesus was angry. Who wouldn’t be?

He was angry that people couldn’t worship God. And He was angry that the people who were supposed to be the spiritual leaders of God’s people cared more about profit. So Jesus took drastic action, driving everyone out. Then the religious and social outsiders came into the temple courtyard and worshiped God with Jesus. In probably less than fifteen minutes, Jesus restored the temple to its original purpose. Feeling anger isn’t a sin, but we need to be cautious. So let’s see how Jesus dealt with anger.

Jesus felt love-fueled anger. Jesus loves everyone, even when they cause harm. He hated their actions, but He didn’t hate them. So even when we feel anger toward someone, we can’t lose sight of their God-given value.

Prayer for the Day

God what are you  showing me?  What am I going to do about it? 

God help me to see one person that I can serve through a kind word, random act of kindness, or simple gift today?

Make sure you complete the reading or comment today.

Read The New Testament In A Year

4 x 6 Plan | Read: Mark 12:1-17 & 2 Corinthians 3:1-11