Clearing the Religious Fog

There are actually only a handful of accounts of Jesus’ getting good and mad in the Gospels, which is surprising given how much provocation he was provided. In fact, the specific Greek word for “angry” is used only once to describe him, and where does he happen to be at that moment?

Another time he went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.” Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent. 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 3:1–5)

Do you understand why the vast, beautiful heart of Jesus rises in anger toward these clerical bullies? This is the same ferocity we see in the temple. Do you understand the personality of God now, and the horrible nature of religious falsehood? Maybe it is more revealing to ask: Do you share his anger at this stuff? This is what infuriates Jesus, so it ought to be what infuriates us. What was the last piece of religious nonsense you were angry with?

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