Grief and Anger (Kinnamon Bible Study #2)

Dear DJAN Friends,

Pollsters tell us that “angry” is the current mood of many people in our society–and perhaps of many of you. Angry with how this virus has so upset our world, leading to so much suffering; angry that racism is still so deep-rooted and pervasive in our nation; angry that our government seems so paralyzed and divided. With that in mind, take a look at this easily-overlooked passage in Mark's gospel.

Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there who had a withered hand. They watched him to see whether he would cure him on the sabbath, so that they might accuse him. And he said to the man who had the withered hand, "Come forward." Then he said to them, "Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to kill?" But they were silent. He looked around at them with anger; he was grieved at their hardness of heart and said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was restored (Mark 3:1-5).

Scripture repeatedly declares that God is "slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love." But what about Jesus who shared our human condition? The most famous example of his anger is probably the overturning of the money changers' tables in the temple (Mark 11:15-16). The verses  from Mark 3 may be are more revealing, however, because they show how Jesus' anger was associated with grief. His grief over a cruel legalism that would deny healing on the sabbath was expressed as anger; his anger over this hardness of heart (translated in the NEB as "obstinate stupidity") was an expression of his grief. This is not anger for its own sake or in defense of self-interest, but grieving anger at actions that harm another person. Dare we say it is Christ-like if we, too, feel such emotions?

May God grant us understanding and commitment.

Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon