Date: Tuesday, 12th September, 2023
Text: Mark 3:1-5
Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan
Exhortation:
When things don’t go the way one plans, he could easily get angry. Stress, family problems, financial issues and other factors can trigger anger, if care is not taken.
There are two kinds of anger, righteous and unrighteous anger.
The Bible says, ‘“Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath’. Ephesians 4:26. It is possible to be angry and not sin, if you allow the Holy Spirit to control your emotions.
Righteous anger, is anger that is primarily motivated by a perception of injustice or other profound moral or spiritual lapse. It is distinguished from anger that is prompted by something more personal, like an insult. It is a settled conviction of God’s holiness that burns in our hearts against all manner of evil, hating what God hates, loving what He loves. It is a selfless anger that is tempered by wisdom and reason.
At some point Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. Then Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.” Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent.
He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. Mark 3:1-5
Christ’s anger was selfless, prompted by the zeal for the sick man’s healing. Receive the grace to honour God with your emotions in Jesus name.
Prayer Nugget: Father, please help me to be selfless and honour you with my emotions in Jesus name.