The Attitude of Christ
When they arrived back in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people buying and selling animals for sacrifices. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves, and he stopped everyone from using the Temple as a marketplace. He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.”
When the leading priests and teachers of religious law heard what Jesus had done, they began planning how to kill him. But they were afraid of him because the people were so amazed at his teaching. Mark 11:15-18
I was focusing on the Olympic controversy and the discussion on the mocking of The Last Supper painting, and it had me thinking about how quick we can be to react. It was not that I did not think that it was in poor taste, which it was. It was that many fellow Christians leaned right into anger and outrage mode. The thing I was taught is one should never respond with anger or outrage without first taking time to understand the why behind it. Furthermore, as a Christian we should always take on the posture of Christ. This is a standard that is higher than any because it really tests us in every way.
Navigating anger and outrage in emotional situations is challenging, especially during my youngest daughter's rebellious years. Over time, I've learned to respond more wisely and calmly as she has grown older. It's not that she tests me any less, but I've realized that my responses are more effective when my emotions are in check. Even when boundaries are crossed, I strive to wait until I can respond as Jesus would, with a calm and measured heart.
Responding to situations like Christ would further God’s Kingdom better than anything else. One of the things that we point to as a failsafe of our anger is when Jesus knocked over tables in the temple. However, one must think of why He would do that in this case and not in others such as the woman who sinned and He challenged the religious leaders to cast the first stone. Obviously, there is something here that is not connecting. One of my favorite stories about Jesus is the immoral woman who broke down at Jesus’ feet. Note how it starts by saying:
When a certain immoral woman from that city heard he was eating there, she brought a beautiful alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume. Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them. (Luke 7:37-38)
However, rather than condemn and deem her as unworthy as most would (even Peter who was with Jesus at the time), He want a different path:
I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.” Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.” (Luke 7:47-48)
What is telling is that Jesus does not display anger at those who need His love. It is that level of love and compassion that Jesus shows to those who do not deserve it that makes His way the best way. Furthermore, His anger was toward those who were leaders of the church. It is as if they were held to a higher standard and failed. It is not the anger that is out of control. It is the calculated thought-out outrage pointed at a group that needed to be bothered. When my daughter and her friends do something that is outrageous, my compassion would be to ensure her friends are okay. My daughter on the other hand, well … Nonetheless, it is still a thought-out response and not abrupt reaction.
Being a believer in Christ requires us to do acts beyond what is expected. In times where the world looks for us to condemn, we look to understand. When the world shows outrage, we are to show compassion. And when the world points to hate, we of course turn to love. Reflecting on the delicate issue of religious offense, Christian scholar Ed Stetzer offers a valuable perspective saying, “We can reject outrage while still being rightly offended. In moments when our emotions threaten to overwhelm us, let us remember whom we serve and strive to act as Christ would. To combat a spirit of anger, we can turn to prayer, seek wisdom in scripture, and practice forgiveness. By embracing a heart of humility and patience, we can reflect the love of Christ in all our actions. What things can you do to fight a spirit of anger? How will you fight the urge to lash out with the heart of Christ? My prayer is that we can take on our spirit of anger with an attitude of Christ. Amen.