Yes, Jesus got wildly angry. Softspoken Jesus, peace-on-earth Jesus, let-the-children-come-to-me Jesus was also a Jesus who became violent when something outraged him. Obviously he was not the kind to lose control of his emotions, but something was so repulsive and offensive about the commercial consumerism in the courtyard of the temple that the Son of God had reason to explode with volcanic rage. And let’s face it, he probably did not hold back with that whip!
His reason was indeed just. This was no small matter. The temple of the holy God was being carelessly desecrated; the place meant for God to dwell with man, and man to approach the living God, was being used to satisfy men’s greed and selfishness. God’s purposes had been forgotten so that man’s purposes of personal gain could be elevated. Utter disgrace. I don’t think we could ever comprehend just how deserving that kind of evil really is of God’s full wrath. They were exploiting holy things for unrighteousness—Jesus’ reaction was entirely fitting.
This is a good reminder for us today: holy things are not to be treated lightly! The house of the Lord still stands, and we are members of his household, and so our relationship with him is our greatest prize, not to be tossed aside. Imagine, for example, the horror of taking a personal leisure day on your wedding anniversary. Or, more to the point, imagine a church who ignored the call to obedience and served the gods of money and power. When you get to participate in something as sacred as a marriage or a church or especially a relationship with the living God, there is no room for making yourself the main beneficiary. The holy purpose of loving and glorifying the Lord is just too urgent.
We often love to think of Jesus in terms of his loving kindness, but that does not mean he can’t also be zealously angry—in fact, it means he must be! Christ’s greatest love was, is, and always will be for his Father. To him be all glory forever and ever. That kind of love necessitates a zeal for righteousness. Maybe, just maybe, we should follow the Messiah’s example in this way. If we are truly a people of love (and indeed we must be), we must also be a people who are zealous for the worship and glory of God, and who do not accept any disrespect toward him. To him be all glory forever and ever!
