In this series we examine the emotions Jesus Christ felt when He was on earth, limited to a time in history, a geographical place, and a human body that needed water, food and sleep. We will examine how He managed His emotions; and why His emotional experiences enable Him to understand everything you and I feel. He is our help in time of trouble.

Remember:

Your emotions are God-given, you are entitled to them.

Your emotions are personal. No one can tell you how you should feel.

Your emotions must be managed or they will control you.

You are not responsible for someone else’s emotions.

Definition

Anger- a strong feeling of displeasure aroused by a wrong. This wrong can be real or imagined.

Anger Basics

• Anger is the emotional response to violated rights – real or imagined
• Anger is not a sin but rather a responsive signal of your surroundings
• Reaction to anger can be good or sinful
• Anger is normal and universal
• Anger is dangerous, makes negative behavior easy

Is it surprising to learn the gospels record only one occurrence when Jesus felt anger? The scriptures do not indicate He felt anger when He cleansed the temple; when they accused Him of blasphemy; when they beat Him; when they mocked Him; when they spit on Him, when He word the crown of thorns, when they crucified Him. Why do you think the Holy Spirit did nor direct the gospel writers to indicate He felt anger at those times?

Situation

Mark 3: ¹ And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand.

²And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him.

³And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth.

⁴And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.

⁵And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.

⁶And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.

Questions for reflection

Why was Jesus displeased?

Who had done wrong?

What was the wrong?

How do you think they each felt when Jesus looked at them with anger?

Is there some tradition or habit that causes you difficulty in accepting Jesus?

Is there some tradition or habit that causes you difficulty in accepting what Jesus is doing in your circumstances?

Notice that the anger of Jesus was coupled with grief. Is there another emotion that often accompanies your anger?

What triggers your anger most often? People? Frustration? Traffic? Finances? Out-of-control circumstances?

When you receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, He will never again look at you with anger because the penalty for your sin has been paid in full.

How does it feel to know Jesus will never be mad at you or angry with you?

When you consider the emotion of Jesus, can you relate how He must have felt to what you feel in your situation?  Can you see how this experience of Jesus enables Him to fully understand how you feel?

Do you know this song?

And can it be that I should gain-Charles Wesley, 1738

And can it be that I should gain An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain—For me, who Him to death pursued?

Amazing love! How can it be, That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be,That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

’Tis mystery all: th’Immortal dies:Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries To sound the depths of love divine.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore, Let angel minds inquire no more.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore; Let angel minds inquire no more.

He left His Father’s throne above So free, so infinite His grace—
Emptied Himself of all but love, And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free, For O my God, it found out me!
’Tis mercy all, immense and free, For O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay, Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

Still the small inward voice I hear, That whispers all my sins forgiven;
Still the atoning blood is near, That quenched the wrath of hostile Heaven.
I feel the life His wounds impart; I feel the Savior in my heart.
I feel the life His wounds impart; I feel the Savior in my heart.

No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head, And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne, And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th’eternal throne, And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Jesus is our great High Priest

Hebrews 4:¹⁴ Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

¹⁵For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

¹⁶Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Where is our great High Priest?  in Heaven, He passed to there

Who is our great High Priest? Jesus, the Son of God

What is special about our great High Priest?

He can be moved with the feeling of our infirmities

He was tempted like we are but did not sin!

Our High Priest sits on a throne of grace not judgement!

Our High Priest invites us to come boldly for grace and mercy

Grace is God giving us what we do not deserve

Mercy is God not giving us what we do deserve

Isn’t Jesus a great High Priest?

Focus

Hebrews 12:¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God

Encouragement

Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you with an everlasting, unconditional love; has uniquely designed and created only one you; has a good plan for your life; runs with you; and will       accomplish His purposes for you and through you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run being yoked to Emmanuel!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with your focus on His mission: to conform you to the image of Jesus Christ!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when together you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti