Temper

On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there.  He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling dove, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts.  And as he taught them, he said, “is it not written my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations"? But you have made it a den of robbers. Mark 11:15-17

I’m a little relieved that Jesus had a temper. I’ve slammed a few too many doors thus far in my life and remember taking out my frustration by banging on a piano as a child (boy do I remember the punishment for that one!) Many of us tend to think about God as a kind and loving God, and certainly, He is. But many times God was filled with righteous anger. God was angry when Adam and Eve committed the first sin and He punished Satan as well as Adam and Eve. He was angry with the wickedness of people and destroyed everyone except Noah and his family. God was angry when the Israelites made a golden calf and He rained down fire at Taberah when they complained about their hardships. And there were several incidences of Jesus' anger during his ministry. It must make Him angry now when we choose to do things which we know are wrong. It must make him angry at the magnitude of our sins which resulted in the death of His only Son for our redemption from those sins. Yet overriding that righteous anger is the opposing emotion, which is God’s never-ending love for us.

Prayer: When I’m angry, Lord, help me to remember that Yours is the truly righteous anger. And although our sin resulted in the death of Jesus, thank you for never ceasing to love us. Help me to follow your example and to temper my anger with love. Amen

Cindy Thomson (reprinted from July 2012)