RIGHTEOUS ANGER
Matthew 21:12-17
Verse 13: “‘It is written,’ He said to them, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it a ‘den of robbers.’”
“You are grounded, Jeremy!” his mom said as he walked through the front door. “Your curfew was ten o’clock—and it’s nearly eleven!” (KUR-few means time restriction).
Jeremy threw his backpack on the living room chair, and tried pleading his case. “We wanted to leave sooner, Mom, but Brad’s dad was late!”
“You should have called me.”
Parents get angry when their kids disobey curfew, or an agreed-upon time limit. And while people become angry when they’re treated unfairly, anger can also come from jealousy or other emotions. But there is different kind of anger: one that’s just and honorable. We call this kind of anger righteous (RITE-chus), because it’s honest and respectable. Jeremy’s mom felt that he deserved being grounded for coming home late.
One time Jesus got very angry, and His displeasure was evident to all who were present. The Court of Gentiles was the only place where non-Jews could enter the temple. This area became an open-air market where Jesus and His disciples had to push their way through the masses of people. People were buying animals to sacrifice, and money was unfairly exchanged.
Jesus probably raised His voice stating the opening Scripture, in order to be heard above the noise. He upended tables, overturned chairs, and drove animals toward the gate through a mob which scrambled for coins scattered on the ground. Mark 11:16 says that He even blocked the way for merchants carrying their products through the temple court.
“Mom” Jeremy wondered, “You didn’t get my text?”
Jeremy’s mom checked and found his text that was sent just after ten o’clock. MOM, BRAD’S DAD LATE PICKING US UP. B HOME SOON! LUVU. Jeremy’s mom hugged him. “I am sorry, hon. You made it home safely—and that’s the whole point of curfews.”
Jesus then healed the blind and lame who approached Him at the temple.
Children noticed the wonderful things Jesus was doing, and shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” Hosanna means “Save,” and us usually shouted as an exclamation. But the teachers of the law who saw all these things, were really offended by the children’s praise. They resented Jesus’ take-charge attitude, stopping the unfair trade business in the temple court.
Take Home Nugget
Jesus’ actions showed people that no one should interfere with those who God calls to be saved. His house (our temples and churches) are not built for buying and selling, ripping people off with dishonest practices. God’s house is a house of prayer, meditation on His Word, and praise.
Lord, give us Your grace to learn
The false things that are revealed.
Give us wisdom to discern
When to keep our lips tightly sealed.
J.D. Griffith
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