Scripture

He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.

Mark 3:4, NIV

Quote

Jesus’ anger was never selfish, never rash—always redemptive, always righteous.

~Source Unknown

There are four distinct times recorded in scripture where Jesus got visibly angry. Or course the one we remember most is that holy fit when he drove out the merchants and the money changers when he cleansed the temple. This event is recorded in all four gospels {John 2; Matt. 21; Mark 11; Luke 19}. I think the episode of Jesus having the holy fit was the most popular one in the TV series CHOSEN. If you recall, he made a whip and He used it. The second time Jesus got angry is in Mark 10:14 where Jesus was indignant over the disciples turning children away. The third is at the grave side of Lazarus in John 11:33, “He groaned in the spirit, and was troubled…” The Greek word (embrimaomai) carries the idea of deep indignation, even controlled anger—not mere sadness. Jesus anger at Lazarus tomb was likely directed at death itself, or perhaps unbelief, or possibly the harm that sin does to humans. There may have been some grief mixed with the anger because Jesus knew Lazarus would have to fight this battle again. And then there is the one in today’s verse.

The Jewish Religious Establishment, the JRE as I refer to them in my notes, pretend to love God but they despised people. They had a pure hatred for everyone who was not like them. They loathed all Gentiles but they were also hard on their own countrymen. The man with a withered hand is a fellow Jew and they have absolutely no compassion on him. They could care less that he has a crippled arm. They are very concerned about their traditions but they no concern for this hurting man. Jesus cared! Their blatant hypocrisy made Jesus angry. It is a fact, Jesus is displeased with us when we do not care for others; especially the hurting.

The ones I have mentioned are no doubters but there are some honorable mentions: [1] Matthew 23 — the woes against the Pharisees (severe moral denunciation) [2] Cursing the fig tree (Mark 11) — symbolic judgment [3] Rebuking Peter (“Get thee behind me, Satan”) — sharp, corrective severity. Just remember, it is no sin to be angry as long as you are angry at sin. Matthew Henry says, “The only way to be angry and not sin is to be angry at sin itself.” Paul said, “Be angry and sin not.” Sin should bother us and so should hurting people.

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Extra

I am suffering from fatigue, too much going, too many late night ball games and too much time out of the office. Now the office is in a mess. We were getting ready to move it Friday and then the rain came. We were praying for a brief shower but it rained all day and we got close to an inch. We canceled the mover last night: we will shut for one day next week. June and I will do our best to get the basics moved to the house tomorrow. We will operate from there until we move to James Town.

We have been hitting one snag after the other. Our shower was damaged by the shippers and we had to reorder but the good news is: Carpet may get laid today, plumber may get shower in today and Charles may get cabinets into day and the painter may show up today. It is my day to study and visit but once again, my normal routine is interrupted. I am anxious to get back to my routine.

I hope you have a great day and thanks for reading the blog. I know that Matt {DBC Tech} has made the blog more accessible. I believe you can subscribe to having it sent to your email automatically. Right now I am struggling just to post a blog, but when I get straightened out, I hope to enhance it a bit.

Have a good day and thanks for reading the blog.