In the temple courts [Jesus] found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!”
—JOHN 2:13–16
JESUS WAS ANGRY in this scene in the Temple courts. Jesus showed that taking advantage of others under the banner of being God’s appointed servants really gets God riled up! I recently learned of a Scottish Gaelic clan called Clann Dhònnchaidh, which is also known as Clan Robertson; the meaning of this term is “fierce when roused.” That seems to make perfect sense to me! We are not easily riled, but when we are, look out! Jesus showed His own fierce side when people made a mockery of God by using His worshippers to make a profit. We need to reserve our anger for the kind of things that anger God and be forgiving and gentle the rest of time.
Prayer
We pray for good, positive attitudes today, Father, but we also pray for fierce passion when we need to be zealous for what is right. In Christ’s name, amen.
—Willie