Anger, Righteous vs Fleshly,

 Anger 

Do you see that picture above? Sadly, that is me. When I allow my anger to get the best of me. My kids tell me, my wife tells me, others who have witnessed it tell me, that if I allow the anger to grow inside me, it can and does from time to time, turn into rage, and I become like a scary monster. Like the Hulk.

I'm a three hundred and five-pound man. 305. I am strong. Not bragging, just stating a fact. Years of going to the gym and working out and years of hard physical labor on the job have made me this way. I eclipse most people when I stand next to them. A neighbor friend of mine nicknamed me "Planet Pete."

Now I say all that to say this. Imagine if you will, a 305 pound, exceedingly strong, blind rage-filled monster looking at you, as the source of the rage? I have destroyed a few things over the years. Including a cast iron fry pan. including many phones. Including a car.

Now imagine you are a child. You know pretty much nothing more than Daddy is there to love you. To protect you. To keep you safe and to provide for you whatever you need. What if, just think about this, what if, the one that is supposed to protect you from the monsters, becomes the monster. Where is the hope?

an·ger

noun
1 a strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure, or hostility:
verb
1. fill (someone) with anger; provoke anger in:

Is anger not normal? Is it not OK to get angry? I mean, one of my favorite quotes of all time comes from another green fellow,

"Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering" Yoda

I mean? He is not wrong. But what about righteous anger? Did you know Jesus got angry? Let's look at a few. One may surprise you depending on which translation you are using. The first is pretty well known.

"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!” His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”" John 2:15-17

Jesus got angry. He made a whip, yelled, turned over tables. Jesus smash. But why? Because He loves the Church and we, people, turned the church into a flea market. Into a shopping center with most likely loaded scales as well.

Here is another time we see Jesus get angry.

"Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And behold, there was a woman who had had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your disability.” And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and she glorified God. But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the people, “There are six days in which work ought to be done. Come on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day.” Then the Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger and lead it away to water it? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?”" Luke 13:10-16

Remember this "But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant " Jesus got angry with him and yelled "You hypocrites!"

Here? Mark 7:33-37

"And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue. And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.”And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. And Jesus charged them to tell no one. But the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

Jesus "Sighed" He was annoyed. Not at healing the man. Do not misunderstand. He knew what healing the man would bring about. This is important to keep in mind.

He was angry over and over with those "Holier than thou" Religious Leaders. Just a couple of examples. Matthew 23:25-32, John 8:33-47. Then here.

"The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” And he left them, got into the boat again, and went to the other side." Mark 8:11-13

Here is the one that many chose to change. Only a few translations use this word. Many change it. Here it is. Mark 1:41-45

"Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately leprosy left him and he was cleansed.

Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” Instead, he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere."

Jesus was indignant. Like that ruler of the synagogue. So what is "indignant."

"feeling or showing anger or annoyance at what is perceived as an unfair treatment"

Now many translations and many "scholars" have changed this one word to "Had or Showed compassion on the man." Jesus would not be indignant for having someone ask Him to be healed. He wasn't. Why did He sigh before? Why was He truly indignant here? Because He knew what it would lead to. Here, read this with me.

"And Jesus charged them to tell no one. But the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it."

And here. Read this with me.

"Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” Instead, he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places."

Jesus knew, that once He heals some of these people, they would not be obedient, and remain quiet about it, but would go and shout from the rooftops all about Jesus, in turn, hinder Jesus from continuing to do what He planned to do.

"As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places."

God gets angry. Jesus got angry. He still gets angry. Look at this prophetic passage in Psalms.

"Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him." Psalm 2:12

You do not want Jesus to be angry with you. Look at this in Revelations. This is Jesus talking to the earthly churches. Look what He says here to those that were not producing fruit.

"I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth." Revelations 3:15-16

Jesus got, and gets, angry. God got, can you say flood? and gets angry. So shall we then determine that anger is ok? What about Yoda?!? What about all the destructive results of anger? Destruction of innocents and families are torn apart? Murder even. No. There is a major difference between God getting angry and when we get angry. Jesus? God? He never sinned. That is the difference. More on that next time.

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I believed He rose from the dead. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, you shall be saved." Romans 10:9. You need to find a Church that God leads you to and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."Colossians 3:10

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!