Righteous Anger - Jesus

Jesus made a whip from some ropes and chased them all out of the Temple. He drove out the sheep and cattle, scattered the money changers’ coins over the floor, and turned over their tables. Then, going over to the people who sold doves, he told them, “Get these things out of here. Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!”

John 2:15-16

Someone once anonymously stated, “A person who is angry on the right grounds, against the right persons, in the right manner, at the right moment, and for the right length of time deserves great praise.”

No man has ever expressed “praiseworthy anger” quite like Jesus.

On several occasions, Jesus became angry over something he saw or heard. He angrily confronted the Jewish religious authorities over their lack of love and true faith in his heavenly Father.

On one of his visits to Jerusalem, Jesus responded in violent anger when he saw people using the Temple for improper purposes. At that time, money changers and other businessmen often set up shop in and around the Temple during Passover. They exchanged foreign currencies for Jewish money (for a hefty surcharge) so pilgrims could purchase sacrificial animals for the Passover celebration.

Jesus didn’t get nearly as angry with the business practice as he did with the money changers who did their greedy gouging in the place where people prayed and worshiped God.

All of this was done with the approval of the Temple priests.

Jesus always directed his anger at things that stood in the way of God’s purposes for humankind. Jesus loved God and his righteousness, and he effectively expressed his anger at unrighteousness.

Do you express your anger over the same kinds of issues that angered Jesus?

Anger is as much a part of the human condition as love. When you become angry, stop and ask yourself if it’s for the right reason, at the right people, and at the right moment. Are you angry in the way that Jesus would be angry?