In the temple complex He found people selling oxen, sheep, and doves, and He also found the money changers sitting there. After making a whip out of cords, He drove everyone out of the temple complex with their sheep and oxen. He also poured out the money changers’ coins and overturned the tables. He told those who were selling doves, “Get these things out of here! Stop turning My Father’s house into a marketplace!” John 2:14-16 HCSB
I am sorry to say that there have been times when I was younger that I exhibited my anger on the golf course. In frustration because of making a poor shot, I tossed a club into the air. One time the club actually got lodged in a tree. In my attempt to get the club down I got another club stuck in the tree. Shortly, I had three clubs up in the tree, while my playing partners had a good laugh. It took a while but I eventually retrieved all of my clubs. I am not proud of my anger on the golf course; it served no purpose and usually caused me to play even worse.
Anger is an emotion that God created, but it must be used in an appropriate way. There should be anger against injustice in the world. Jesus was angry with the money changers because they were were charging an unusually high exchange rate. Foreigners who were in Jerusalem for the Passover had to exchange their foreign currency to be able to purchase animals to sacrifice in the temple. Even if they brought their own animals, the priests would usually find the animal was not “perfect” enough and people would be required to purchase the animals that were for sale. The “perfect” animals were always sold at an exorbitant rate. Jesus was angry at the dishonesty and injustice. The people were using God’s house as a way of making a profit and taking advantage of others. Therefore, Jesus drove the people out of the temple. Certainly others could have overpowered Him, but God gave Him the power to cast the offenders from His Father’s House.
Challenge: Do not ever use God’s house as a place to make a personal profit or gain in some way. God’s house should be a house of prayer and worship. Additionally, make sure your anger is justified and used in an appropriate manner.