KNOWING OUR SAVIOR - The Frustrated Christ

You might be surprised by this, but I have a little bit of a temper. It’s not a freak-out, turn red with rage, throw and punch stuff temper, but I can get peeved. To steal a line from Wreck-It Ralph, my passion bubbles near the surface. It used to be much worse, but I credit the Holy Spirit for toning me down a little over the years.

Today as we consider Christ, I thought I’d share a few examples of when he got frustrated. Now Christ’s anger and mine are very different. My anger is usually when something doesn’t go my way – a selfish anger. Christ’s frustrations were motivated differently. Check out these examples:

·         LACK OF FAITH IN HIM - Mark 9: 14-19  - When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.

“What are you arguing with them about?” he asked.

A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.”

“You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”

o   Christ rebuked the disciples, not for lacking faith in themselves, but for lacking faith in His power, which he had given them. Think about similar responses from Christ, like when Peter began to sink after walking on water, or the disciples were afraid of the storm. Christ wants us to trust in His power. While that might look different today than in the disciples day, the lesson still applies.

·         PUTTING ONE’S OWN DESIRES ABOVE GOD’S - Matthew 16:21-23 – From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

o   Although he cared for Jesus, Peter was still looking for a different Messiah than what God intended His Son to be. Peter questioned Jesus’ very mission, and Christ confirmed that denying His mission was the work of the devil. The same can be said for anytime we put our desires above the Lord’s will.

 

·         John 2:13-17 – When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.” This was the opportunity to atone for sin – the symbol God put in place before Christ would fulfill it – and they had turned it into a business venture – an obstacle for others to come to God

o   Christ gives His own explanation for His frustration. It’s pretty self-explanatory. Jewish leaders were making significant profits on their people, right there in the Temple court, to exploit the fact that they needed animals to fulfill their sacrificial obligations.

o   But how did others view this? Wasn’t He concerned about His image? Of course not. Everything Jesus did was with purpose, and in doing this, He not only stopped a practice disapproved by God, but He made an example to all in attendance. I have to think many were convicted by Jesus’ actions.

·         SIN IN THE CHURCH – Revelation 2 & 3

o   I won’t review all these chapters, but if you’re familiar with Revelation, you know that Christ addresses the various Churches, crediting their acts of righteousness while exposing their sins, such as:

§  Ephesus – “Lost their first love”

§  Pergamum and Thyatira –Prostitution/fornication and idolatry

§  Sardis – “Dead” (going through the motions but heart not in it)

§  Laodicea – “Lukewarm” (spoiled/entitled)

o   Considering Christ’s words to the Churches, it’s a good time to remember these messages are for us as well. We’re not perfect, but I’d rather act in a way that brings Christ’s approval, like we looked at last week, rather than His criticism.

I hope it’s been helpful to consider these aspects of Jesus’ personality and ministry. Ultimately, Christ is frustrated when we misrepresent God or fail to respond to Him, and His frustration seems to reach its righteous peak when confronted with sin among those who are supposed to be “in” – the Church and Nation of Israel.

Next week, we’ll discuss the compassionate Christ. Until then, have a great Memorial Day week!