Good Irritation & Rage (03.05.2006)

MILD IRRITATION
Read Mark 10:13-16 about Jesus and the little children

Why is Jesus irritated at the disciples?

• They are blocking the children from being blessed by Him
• By turning away the children, they risk turning away their parents, too
• They are assuming what He would want, and they totally miss the point

How is Jesus’ irritation here similar to his anger over the man with the crippled hand? (Mark 3:1-6)

• It is centered on other people -- He's irritated here because of the impact on the children, and He was angry at the Pharisees because of their impact on the crippled man
• In neither case is Jesus irritated (or angry) at the impacts on Him personally

What’s the difference our irritation while waiting in traffic and Jesus’ irritation in this story?

Our Irritation

• Think about ourselves
• Seethe with resentment
• Tend to hold on to irritation
• Get irritated when we are interrupted
• Dislike being with "unimportant" people

Jesus' Irritation

• Thinks about others
• Takes positive action
• Lets go of irritation
• Gets irritated when He is not interrupted
• Loves being with "unimportant" people

CONTROLLED RAGE
Read Mark 11:15-18 about Jesus cleansing the Temple

How would you describe Jesus in this scene?

• Quite calm
• He took time to make a whip (see John 2:13-25)
• There are no references to His emotions (as in other passages where anger is pointed out)
• It was a controlled rage

How do you feel about Jesus’ actions?

• Unnerving, unsettling, uncomfortable -- seems out of character for Him
• Reassuring, encouraging, inspiring -- gratifying to see justice done

Read Matthew 10:34: “I’ve not come to bring peace but a sword.”

How do you feel about Jesus’ comment?

• Troubled -- again, it seems out of character for Him

So, how does this all relate to honesty?

• Honesty focuses on proclaiming the truth -- what is right and wrong
• In being honest with others, it may call for us to bold and upfront with them

THE TENDER WARRIOR

Jesus’ anger is other-centered. His anger in a situation is never focused on the impacts to Him personally. It is always in response to the impacts that it has on other people.

Jesus gets upset about two things:

• When compassion is blocked (such as when the Pharisees blocked healing on the Sabbath)
• When faith is blocked (such as when the disciples blocked the children from coming to Him)

Jesus’ anger does good. His anger leads to positive action -- healing, teaching, and so on.

Jesus gets irritated over not being interrupted by children, and He clears out the temple with a whip! He is a complete man – gentle and strong, humble and powerful.

TABLE TALK:
Divide into separate groups of men and women (move tables if you have to). Among people of your gender, talk about what the image of a Tender Warrior means to you as a man or a woman.

• The "tender" aspects may come more easily to women. The image of a Tender Warrior can show how to balance these gifts along with the "warrior" aspects.
• For men, issues of rage are often an obstacle. This image can show us how to be a man as God created us to be -- tempered with the "tender" aspects that may get overlooked.
• For men and women, we must realize that a true "warrior" is one who is trained, equipped, prepared and ready for battle. He is not caught "off guard" by the enemy -- and that's how it should be with us in our spiritual walks with the Lord.

PRAYING GOD’S WORD
Use the following passages to pray God’s Word back to Him, either on your own or with others:

• Heavenly Father, I know that fits of rage are acts of my sinful nature in Your eyes (Galatians 5:19-20) and that I am to get rid of rage so that I do not grieve Your Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30-31). Lord, when I am irritated, remind me that I have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). If I am irritated or enraged by those who do not know You, may I always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks me to give the reason for the hope that I have – and may I do so with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15). In Your Son’s name, Amen.

BEING THE REAL DEAL
Here are some ways to apply this message from God’s Word:

• Keep a piece of paper with you during the week. When you feel irritated, take a quick note about what caused it. At the end of the week (or the end of the day if you already have a healthy list!), compare how you reacted to how Jesus might have reacted (see the table above).
• If you watch a TV show or see a movie, identify a character who displays rage. How might Jesus have reacted in that situation? Then, imagine yourself in that person’s shoes. How might you have handled that situation?