Question: “Was Jesus ever angry?”

Answer:
When Jesus cleared the temple of the moneychangers and animal-sellers, He showed great emotion and anger (Matthew 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-18; John 2:13-22). Jesus emotion was described as zeal for Gods house (John 2:17). His anger was pure and completely justified because at its root was concern for Gods holiness and worship. Because these were at stake, Jesus took quick and decisive action. Another time Jesus showed anger was in the synagogue of Capernaum. When the Pharisees refused to answer Jesus questions, He looked around at them in anger, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts (Mark 3:5).

Many times, we think of anger as a selfish, destructive emotion that we should eradicate from our lives altogether. However, the fact that Jesus did sometimes become angry indicates that anger itself, as an emotion, is amoral. This is borne out elsewhere in the New Testament. Ephesians 4:26 instructs us in your anger do not sin and not to let the sun go down on our anger. The command is not to avoid anger (or suppress it or ignore it) but to deal with it properly, in a timely manner. We note the following facts about Jesus displays of anger:

1) His anger had the proper motivation. In other words, He was angry for the right reasons. Jesus anger did not arise from petty arguments or personal slights against Him. There was no selfishness involved.

2) His anger had the proper focus. He was not angry at God or at the weaknesses of others. His anger targeted sinful behavior and true injustice.

3) His anger had the proper supplement. Mark 3:5 says that His anger was attended by grief over the Pharisees lack of faith. Jesus anger stemmed from love for the Pharisees and concern for their spiritual condition. It had nothing to do with hatred or ill will.

4) His anger had the proper control. Jesus was never out of control, even in His wrath. The temple leaders did not like His cleansing of the temple (Luke 19:47), but He had done nothing sinful. He controlled His emotions; His emotions did not control Him.

5) His anger had the proper duration. He did not allow His anger to turn into bitterness; He did not hold grudges. He dealt with each situation properly, and He handled anger in good time.

6) His anger had the proper result. Jesus anger had the inevitable consequence of godly action. Jesus anger, as with all His emotions, was held in check by the Word of God; thus, Jesus response was always to accomplish Gods will.

When we get angry, too often we have improper control or an improper focus. We fail in one or more of the above points. This is the wrath of man, of which we are told Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for mans anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires (James 1:19-20). Jesus did not exhibit mans anger, but the righteous indignation of God.

Recommended Resource:
Jesus: The Greatest Life of All by Charles Swindoll

Question: “How do I know which of God’s promises are for me?”

Answer:
There are literally hundreds of promises in the Bible. How can we know which promises apply to us, which promises we can claim? To frame this question another way, how can one tell the difference between general promises and specific promises? A general promise is one that is given by the Holy Spirit to every believer in every age. When the author penned the promise, he set no limitations on time period or recipient.

An example of a general promise is 1 John 1:9, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. This promise is based on the forgiving nature of God and is available to all believers everywhere. Another example of a general promise is Philippians 4:7, And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. This promise is made to all believers who, refusing to worry, bring their requests to God (v. 8). Other examples of general promises include Psalm 1:3; 27:10; 31:24; John 4:13-14 (note the word whoever); and Revelation 3:20.

A specific promise is one that is made to specific individuals on specific occasions. The context of the promise will usually make clear who the recipient is. For example, the promise of 1 Kings 9:5 is very specific: I will establish your royal throne over Israel forever. The preceding and following verses make it clear that the Lord is speaking only to King Solomon.

Luke 2:35 contains another specific promise: And a sword will pierce your own soul too. This prophecy/promise was directed to Mary and was fulfilled in her lifetime. While a specific promise is not made to all believers generally, the Holy Spirit can still use a specific promise to guide or encourage any of His children. For example, the promise of Isaiah 54:10 was written with Israel in mind, but the Holy Spirit has used these words to comfort many Christians today: my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed.

As he was led to take the gospel to the Gentiles, the apostle Paul claimed the promise of Isaiah: I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth (Acts 13:47). Isaiahs promise was originally meant for the Messiah, but in it Paul found guidance from the Lord for his own life. When claiming a promise from Scripture, we should keep the following principles in mind:

1) Promises are often conditional. Look for the word if in the context.
2) God gives us promises to help us better submit to His will and trust Him. A promise does not make God bend to our will.
3) Do not assume to know precisely when, where, or how the promise will be fulfilled in your life.

Recommended Resource:
God’s Promises for You: Scripture Selections from Max Lucado

Pope Benedict XVI called the church of Cyprus a “bridge between east and west” recently and pushed for reconciliation and peace in that country.

The Pope is in Cyprus for a three-day visit to address the Christian presence in the Middle East, and to release the working document for an October meeting of the Synod of Bishops dedicated to the Middle East, CatholicCulture.org reported.

However in a meeting, Cypriot president Demetris Christofias told Benedict, “It is …disturbing that for 36 years our cultural and religious heritage in the occupied areas is being destroyed,”  referring to the portion of the island that falls under Turkish control, Reuters reported.

St. Paul and St. Barnabas preached in this Mediterranean island 2,000 years ago.

However, it has been split between its Greek and Turkish populations since 1974, when Turkey invaded its north after a brief Greek-inspired coup, Reuters said.

Benedict is only visiting the south of the island, which is run by Cyprus’ internationally recognized Greek Cypriot government.

He is staying at a Franciscan monastery in the buffer zone, no-man’s-land splitting Cyprus east to west and patrolled by United Nations troops, Reuters said.

Although the pope has largely skirted the issue of Cyprus’ division and says his visit is not political, he did frequently talk about reconciliation and peace, CatholicCulture.org said.

At an ecumenical service in the church of Agia Kiriaki Chrysopolitissa, Benedict, in a nod to archbishop Chrysostomos, who strongly supports ecumenical ventures, said CatholicCulture.org.

Benedict also called for “… a society distinguished by respect for the rights of all, including the inalienable rights to freedom of conscience and freedom of worship,” Reuters reported.

Turkey is currently in a bid to join the EU, where Greek Cypriots represent the island in the bloc and have the power to veto Turkish entry. Cyprus’ Greek Cypriots are predominantly Greek Orthodox, Reuters says.

The Cypriot government and church have repeatedly highlighted the “systematic desecration of churches in northern Cyprus,” saying that more than 500 churches and monuments have been destroyed since 1974, Reuters said.

Turkish Cypriot authorities acknowledged some damage but claim in turn that Muslim places of worship are being desecrated in the south.

They also said they were trying to restore and maintain churches, Reuters said.

On a visit to a museum Benedict was shown priceless mosaics from the 6th century that were hacked off the walls of a church in northern Cyprus, then sold on the black market.

The Cypriot Church won them back in a court battle in the United States, Reuters said.

Chrysostomos said Turkey is carrying out “a plan of national destruction” in the north.  He said Turkish forces have “turned the Orthodox Christians of Cyprus out of their ancestral homes,” CatholicCulture.org said.

During Chrysostomos’ meeting with Benedict, Muslim calls for prayer from a mosque could clearly be heard in the medieval capital of northern Nicosia, which is also divided, Reuters reported.

Three Christian laborers in a garment factory in Sialkot, Pakistan were illegally arrested recently on trumped up charges by their employer, according to Compass Direct News (CDN).

Atif Masih, Kamran Masih and Naveed Gill reported for work as usual on May 4 at 9 a.m. Two hours later they were arrested by the SHO [station house officer], severely beaten, and forced to state that they sold alcohol.  In Pakistan it is forbidden to sell alcohol to Muslims and illegal to sell it without a permit, CDN reported.

Upon their arrest their boss Rana Ejaz had not filed a First Information Report, nor had he registered a written complaint.  However Ejaz reportedly said, “I did all this on the advice of the SHO, Zulfiqar, so that I could terminate the Christian workers.”  A source who requested anonymity said the Christians were detained only because Ejaz is a good friend of the SHO, according to the CDN report.

Kamran Masih said Ejaz seemed to object to the crosses the Christians wore to work.  “He …used to look at the cross with strange looks,” Kamran Masih said. “Then since February, he said that no one will be allowed to wear a cross at work.”

In March Ejaz began to demand that only Christian employees come to work on Sundays.  The three laborers requested , permission to go to church on Sundays, but were threatened with dire consequences, CDN  reported.

Authorities released them after three days after local human rights groups filed charges.  Paka Garah police SHO Zulfiqar Ali refused to comment after their release.

Meanwhile in a separate incident eight Christian laborers in Khushab, Pakistan were freed recently after their employer illegally detained them in the factory, and allegedly forced them to work as bonded laborers to pay their debts, Persecution.org reported.

The International Christian Concern (ICC) said the Christian brick kiln laborers were allegedly forced to work as bonded laborers to pay their debts, Persecution.org reported.

Persecution.org said that Mushtaq Gill of the Democratic Minorities Alliance filed an habeas corpus petition asking the district and session judge to seek the release of the Christians.

The court appointed a bailiff who raided the kiln and found the eight detained Christians.  Brick kiln workers in Pakistan live in slave-like conditions and are routinely mistreated and often illegally detained by their Muslim employers, Persecution.org reported.

The freed workers are Norman Bhatti, Salman Nabeel, Sharoon Bhatti, Haroon, Ishtiaq Masih, Razzaq Masih, Saleem Masih and Nadeem Masih.

The court ordered the police to register a case against the employer, Muhammad Ramzan for forced labor and illegal detention.  The court also ordered Ramzan to file a recovery suit to solve the alleged money dispute.