Question: Was Jesus ever angry? Answer: When Jesus cleared the temple of the moneychangers and animal-sellers, He showed great emotion and anger (Matthew 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-18; John 2:13-22). Jesus emotion was described as zeal for Gods house (John 2:17). His anger was pure and completely justified because at its root was concern for Gods holiness and worship. Because these were at stake, Jesus took quick and decisive action. Another time Jesus showed anger was in the synagogue of Capernaum. When the Pharisees refused to answer Jesus questions, He looked around at them in anger, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts (Mark 3:5). Many times, we think of anger as a selfish, destructive emotion that we should eradicate from our lives altogether. However, the fact that Jesus did sometimes become angry indicates that anger itself, as an emotion, is amoral. This is borne out elsewhere in the New Testament. Ephesians 4:26 instructs us in your anger do not sin and not to let the sun go down on our anger. The command is not to avoid anger (or suppress it or ignore it) but to deal with it properly, in a timely manner. We note the following facts about Jesus displays of anger: 1) His anger had the proper motivation. In other words, He was angry for the right reasons. Jesus anger did not arise from petty arguments or personal slights against Him. There was no selfishness involved. 2) His anger had the proper focus. He was not angry at God or at the weaknesses of others. His anger targeted sinful behavior and true injustice. 3) His anger had the proper supplement. Mark 3:5 says that His anger was attended by grief over the Pharisees lack of faith. Jesus anger stemmed from love for the Pharisees and concern for their spiritual condition. It had nothing to do with hatred or ill will. 4) His anger had the proper control. Jesus was never out of control, even in His wrath. The temple leaders did not like His cleansing of the temple (Luke 19:47), but He had done nothing sinful. He controlled His emotions; His emotions did not control Him. 5) His anger had the proper duration. He did not allow His anger to turn into bitterness; He did not hold grudges. He dealt with each situation properly, and He handled anger in good time. 6) His anger had the proper result. Jesus anger had the inevitable consequence of godly action. Jesus anger, as with all His emotions, was held in check by the Word of God; thus, Jesus response was always to accomplish Gods will. When we get angry, too often we have improper control or an improper focus. We fail in one or more of the above points. This is the wrath of man, of which we are told Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for mans anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires (James 1:19-20). Jesus did not exhibit mans anger, but the righteous indignation of God.
Posted on: Wed, 05 Mar 2014 00:39:22 +0000
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