I've always been curious about Jesus' anger. What expression did He have on His face when He told off the Pharisees? How did He maintain His perfect peace and self control when He got indignant with the disciples (and He did)? What the heck did it look like for Him to raise a riot in the Temple over money changing and animal sales? I mean, He had a whip for crying out loud!

In His anger, Jesus was without sin. Anger, therefore, must have the potential to be an instrument of redemption and righteousness just as much mercy. Our speaker pointed out last week that Jesus' anger was about defending the Father's reputation and not His own. I would say that His anger was also about fighting injustice and oppression. Mine usually seems to pop up when I feel personally attacked, probably not good grounds for the reactions it provokes.

What are the things in the world, in my life, in this culture, that should make me angry? Where is God being misrepresented? Where are people being treated unjustly? Where is God's kingdom being held back and by what? Maybe I should be less angry about fluorescent lights and more angry about suicide bombs in Pakistan or 1 in 4 American teen girls having at least one STD. Maybe I should stop sulking in my anger and get mad, mad enough to start fighting for a better world.

PS This photo is of a plaque in the Cathedral in Lima. It honors the Banco de Credito for funding repairs to the Cathedral in 2004. Note the logo. I'm not ready to make a judgment on this one, but it's eerily ironic I think.

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