Jesus Was Angry

...how did he respond?

Mark 3:1-19

It’s one thing to be angry. There’s really nothing sinful about being angry. It’s both a human and divine response to injustice.

But what one does with anger is where things can go wrong.

In today’s passage, we’ll see Jesus’ anger. He’s done with the misplacing of priorities by so many around him.

(It’s also kind of “neat” to see the progression of what happens. Jesus knew that people were watching him closely, he told the man to be sure to stand where everyone could see him. He wanted everyone to know what justice looks like.)

---

Mark 3:1-19

Jesus returned to the synagogue. A man with a withered hand was there. Wanting to bring charges against Jesus, they were watching Jesus closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath. He said to the man with the withered hand, “Step up where people can see you.” Then he said to them, “Is it legal on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they said nothing. Looking around at them with anger, deeply grieved at their unyielding hearts, he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he did, and his hand was made healthy. At that, the Pharisees got together with the supporters of Herod to plan how to destroy Jesus.

Jesus left with his disciples and went to the lake. A large crowd followed him because they had heard what he was doing. They were from Galilee, Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, beyond the Jordan, and the area surrounding Tyre and Sidon. Jesus told his disciples to get a small boat ready for him so the crowd wouldn’t crush him. He had healed so many people that everyone who was sick pushed forward so that they could touch him. Whenever the evil spirits saw him, they fell down at his feet and shouted, “You are God’s Son!” But he strictly ordered them not to reveal who he was.

Jesus went up on a mountain and called those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve and called them apostles. He appointed them to be with him, to be sent out to preach, and to have authority to throw out demons. He appointed twelve: Peter, a name he gave Simon; James and John, Zebedee’s sons, whom he nicknamed Boanerges, which means “sons of Thunder”; and Andrew; Philip; Bartholomew; Matthew; Thomas; James, Alphaeus’ son; Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean; and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus.

Prayer

God,

I have the capacity for significant anger. You know this, but not many people do. Of course, my family knows. But most of the time, I have pretty good guard on my anger if those outside my household are within view. I’m just being honest.

Often, when it comes to issues of injustice in the world, my anger does me well. I rise to new understanding, seeking to know more about situations. Other times, I’m not sure what to do, because I feel powerless to do anything about scenarios far-removed from my sphere of influence. God, help me to know when to persist and when to relent.

But also often, when it comes to situations within my familial environment, I do poorly. Actually, I’ve done much better in recent years, but I’d still like to avoid my tendency toward passive aggression and authority-wielding. I guess what I’m asking, Lord, is help me to be a better husband, father, and son.

I’m not asking you to keep me from anger, but to respond better when it arises.

By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.