Tears of Anger

ReAD Luke 19:28-42 and Matthew 23:37-39

Being overcome by evil and injustice is a normal human experience. It is also a response that Jesus, our Lord, has experienced. Jesus wept tears of anger upon seeing Jerusalem’s choice to live into inequalities and injustices. He displayed anger at the religious “elite” who gate-kept the mercy and goodness of God. And He shunned the use of the Temple as a marketplace, monetizing forgiveness and reconciliation. 

We may view people who are moved to tears as weak. Jesus, however, sets a different example. His humanity is on full display when He is angered at the people of Jerusalem, some who were charging people for access to the mercy of God (Luke 19:45-46). But there is a catch to what is often called Jesus’ “righteous anger.” His anger is directed at those who are preying on others. Whether they are poor, weak, from different cultures, man, or woman, the people in and of the Temple were othering them instead of welcoming them. Jesus’ tears of anger were not used to morally one-up another, but rather were on display to open up God’s mercy to all.

When we experience or view injustice in our world, we should feel angry, for injustice and division is sin on display. We can and should have deep emotions and perhaps be moved to tears. But if we then use those emotions to divide, distort, or gate-keep God’s mercy, love, and grace, we are wrong. Jesus’ anger was used to tear down the systems that keep others from joining God’s family. Jesus’ anger was used to usher all into the presence and glory of God. So what of our anger? What of our attempts at responding to injustice? I’d offer a simple guideline for when we see or experience injustice and divisions that anger us:

• Be angry, it’s okay to have emotions.
• Pray for the people involved and the issues at hand. 
• See it as Jesus would (interestingly enough, after Jesus confronted the money changers, He stayed at the temple pointing people to God!)
• Work towards justice for everyone, even the people who are in the wrong. 
• Realize anger should lead to love, not hate. 

For Reflection:

• Each Sunday we include discussion questions on the sermon insert that can be used for deeper reflection and/or small group discussions. You can find a digital version online at eastbrook.org/tearsofJesus.

By Pastor Nic Fridenmaker

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Family Talk: Week 4

Object Lesson: Squeeze your hand and make a fist for 10 seconds and then slowly open your hands

Say
When we are angry, our hearts can feel tight like our fists. Jesus felt anger too but He didn’t hurt people or sin. He used His anger to stand up for what was right. Jesus let His anger move Him toward truth, love, and action, not destruction.

Read
Luke 19:41-44 and Matthew 23:37-39

Connect
Just as we miss out—or even get hurt—when we ignore wise guidance, the people of Jerusalem were missing out in Jesus’s day. “Jerusalem” (Yerushalayim) means “city of peace,” yet Jesus wept because they didn’t understand the way to peace. They thought they knew God, but they didn’t recognize Him even when He stood—or rode a donkey—right in front of them. Caught up in their own ideas and desires, they didn’t take time to truly know or trust Him. Jesus compares Himself to a mother hen longing to protect her chicks, but they run off, unaware of danger. That’s how He felt about Jerusalem—His deep mercy turned to sorrow when He saw them choosing paths that would harm them. But even when we ignore Him, His compassion remains. He is always ready to forgive, comfort, and bless us when we turn to Him. No matter how familiar we are with Scripture, we still need to seek God daily, trust Him, and remember His longing for our good.

Family Storytelling:

• Parents:Tell of a time when you were close to God’s truth yet tempted to resist it for comfort, control, or familiarity?
• Kids: Share about a time when you felt cared for. How does it feel to know Jesus wants to take care of you?
• Family: How can our family choose to welcome Jesus not just with words, but with actions this week?

by Laura Brunner