Angry? Jesus Has Been There – Monday

Week 2 | Been There

Listen instead of reading

Take a Moment

Ask God what He wants to show you before reading today

Read The Daily

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)

Are followers of Jesus allowed to get angry? Maybe you’ve wondered that—especially as your temper was starting to flare up. But anger itself is rarely the problem. Our reactions to anger are what can get us in trouble.  Jesus Himself got angry. So being angry isn’t wrong—especially if you get angry about something that breaks the heart of God. When we get mistreated—or when someone we love gets mistreated—anger is a natural response. God is a just God, and even though He is slow to get angry, He still gets angry. 

In fact, Jesus often displayed righteous anger. In the Gospels, we see Him literally turn over tables after people started abusing the temple as a place to trade and sell animals for sacrifices. And Jesus’ anger was justified. When we see people doing wrong to others, we should feel righteously angry, and we should do something about it. That doesn’t mean we seek revenge. It doesn’t mean we behave recklessly or unlovingly. It does mean that when we see injustice, it should make us mad and break our hearts. 

Often, the things we get angry about reveal what we care about. UK Basketball or Ohio State Football the last few years…anyone?  But it’s good when we are bothered by the same things as Jesus.  Maybe if you see children growing up without families, it makes you angry, so you decide to start fostering or serving foster families. What is it that makes you angry in the right way? 

Jesus threw down tables to disrupt corruption. He reclaimed and restored God’s temple to honor God. His anger invoked action that brought glory to God. So in your anger, do not sin. But do stand up for what’s right. It’s okay to be angry. But when we’re angry, let’s invite God into the situation. Maybe there’s something that needs to change, so we champion the cause. Maybe it’s a sign that we’re called to be a part of the solution, so we find ways to help and support. No matter what, we go to God and ask Him what our next step is and what we can learn from our anger.

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 14:53-65 & 2 Corinthians 8:1-15