Mar 2013
Grace, Hope & Peace, Friend;
When Jesus was welcomed into Jerusalem by the crowds, He went into the temple area, looked around and then left for Bethany because it was late. (Mark 11:1-11) The next day, we read; “He entered the temple area and began to drive out those who were selling and buying on the temple grounds, and He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves; and He would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple grounds.” (Vs. 15-16) [John tells us, on one occasion, Jesus made a whip that He used to chase out the merchants and money changers! (John 2:13-16) This passage is sometimes used to justify ‘righteous indignation.’ “Jesus showed us, it is okay to attack swindlers and cheats.” BUT look at the story of the fig tree that is woven into Mark’s account:
That morning, walking from Bethany to Jerusalem, Jesus looked for figs on a fig tree, but there weren’t any. (Mark 11:12-13)
He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!” And His disciples were listening.
Mark 11:14
The next morning, after the incident in the temple, walking the same route, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots up. Peter said, “Rabbi, look, the fig tree that You cursed has withered.” (Mark 11:20-21) Jesus replied;
Have faith in God. Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, “Be taken up and thrown into the sea,” and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted to him. Therefore, I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted to you.
Mark 11:22b-24
What does that have to do with ‘righteous indignation?’ Keep reading!
Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you for your offenses.
Emphasis mine
Mark 11:25
Jesus wasn’t angry with the swindlers and cheats! He had already forgiven them! Forgiveness is why He came! (Luke 23:34) He was carrying out God’s will; “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” (Mark 11:17)
Yes, sometimes God may use us to correct others, but if we are going to claim, ‘righteous indignation,’ make sure it is ‘righteous’ – right with God! Have you forgiven the swindlers and cheats? They don’t know that they are being manipulated by evil spiritual forces.
Eloah Selichot – God of Forgiveness – Help me forgive as You have forgiven me.
It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost.
1 Timothy 1:15
Forgiveness is righteous,
Words of Encouragement 