I do tend to get angry, well I don’t know if its true anger or just disappointment. But either way it is a form of anger. Today I reflected on John 2:13-22. In the passage we see Jesus getting very upset with some people. This causes me to wonder…what ticked off God?
I consider the people working there in the temple. They were just making a living. What could be wrong with that? They were providing for the needs of the people. Sure they were probably making alittle more profit than necissary, but so do the suvenier shops at any tourist stop.
I then look at it from a different perspective…the one of a worshiper. The common family trying to fulfill their religious duty, to celebrate their God with their young sons, only to spend most of their money for an inadiquate offering.
So what ticked off Jesus? Injustice. All through the Prophets we hear a call to and for justice. And where is justice in religion for profit? Isn’t this why the reformation happened? He is upset that people willingly take advantage of other for unearned gain. He isn’t upset about profit but profit received unjustly. Injustice is something that should make us upset. I am upset with Palistine for their terrorism, and I’m upset with Israel for their lack of coming up with a solution to incorporate Palistinians into their country. I’m upset at my own country for various injust actions. I’m even upset at time with the church for many reason. But what can I do about it? If I were to respond as Jesus did I would be spending time in jail, but then again Jesus got crusified for it also.
The only way is to start in my own life. I must act justly. I must take my anger of a situation and pray about it, and then out a heart of grace and love approach the issue making me angry. For instance if I am upset with a politician I have several options in the US. I can write letters, blogs, editorials, or give them a call. If that doesn’t work I can promote their competition. But before I do anything I should listen to them and find out why certain actions required.
Listening is probably the biggest thing. We are upset because we don’t take time to hear people out. I would venture to say that if we were to listen first we would probably not be upset. I guess that is probably the largest command I am receiving today is to listen. I pray that I will be open to this. Over all I need to be open to see injustice and be wiling to act in stopping and preventing more.
As you pray today and consider my coments, think about your own anger is it anger for selfish reasonsor is it anger prompted by injustice.
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