Angry

Luke 9:46-62

Have you ever been so angry with someone that you wished them harm? I’m ashamed to admit that I have. My biggest trigger is the news. When I see people treating others cruelly or taking advantage of the weak or poor for their own gain, my blood boils! When bigotry and prejudice crush the marginalized underfoot, it enrages me. It infuriates me when I see people use the name of Christ for material gain or to justify hatred or oppression. I can find myself fantasizing about those who anger me getting what they deserve. At my worst, I can be tempted to ask God to rain righteous judgment on the heads of those who anger me! Maybe you're like me and can find yourself wanting the Lord to give those who offend you what you feel they deserve. In Luke 9:46-62, we learn that even those who were closest to Jesus while he was here on Earth could struggle with misdirected anger.

In the ninth chapter of Luke, we get a glimpse of Jesus and the twelve apostles as they travel towards Jerusalem and Jesus' crucifixion. In verses 46-62, we get a few snapshots of the Apostles acting in some particularly un-Christlike ways, doing things like arguing amongst themselves about which of them is the greatest among them and chastising a man casting out demons in Jesus’ name because he’s not a member of their exclusive group of believers. One that stands out occurs in verses 51-56. In these verses, as they approach a Samaritan village on the way to Jerusalem, Jesus sends some of his followers on ahead to secure lodging and food for the night before traveling on. The Samaritans, who hold Jews in contempt, refuse to let them enter the village once they find out they are heading to Jerusalem. James and John are incensed by the disrespect shown to their beloved teacher and kindly ask Jesus for permission to ask God to rain down fire on the village and wipe it off the map. Jesus declines and, in some manuscripts, even tells James and John that he didn’t come to destroy people but to save them.

There’s a lot of anger in the world right now. It often feels like we’re sinking in a sea of rage, bitter arguments, and even physical violence. Sadly, some of that anger and bitterness is coming from within the Church. As we seek to represent Christ in the world, may we always remember His message to the early disciples—a message of redemption and hope, not anger and condemnation.

Praying for peace with you,

Mike