Tag Archives: pig-headed

When Jesus Got Ticked Off

There is a misnomer held by many circles which suggests anger is a sin.  While someone’s tone of voice may reflect a degree of anger, the words an individual choose to verbalize ultimately reveal what is in their heart, Luke 6:45.  According to Ephesians 4:26, anger is a natural emotion people experience.  How you respond when you’re angry determines whether or not you sin.  Thus, when you read a book, it’s hard to detect if someone is mad, if that is their normal demeanor or they are upset.

When I read Mark 12:1-11 the other day I got the sense Jesus was ticked off by the chief priests, teachers of the law and elders.  The day before this encounter, Jesus cleared the temple of rift raft, over turning the tables of those who tried to turn the temple into a flea market.  Although I am not claiming Jesus sinned, I do believe the religious leaders had become a thorn in Jesus’ flesh, frustrated by their pig headed mindset.  Therefore, following their lack of cooperation in Mark 11:27-33, Jesus shares the parable of the Tenants to vent his anger.

When the truth hurts, people respond in various ways.  Some may publicly confess their error immediately.  Others may walk away humbled, contemplating how to handle their embarrassment.  In the case of the religious leaders, they were furious, realizing this unflattering parable was about them.  If Romans 8:28 is true, God allowed his Son to get ticked off, pushing the religious leaders beyond their limits so that the Father’s will would be done fulfilled through the death and subsequent resurrection of Jesus, Matthew 26:39-42.

A rhema, a word from the Lord received by Jay Mankus