The Easter Storyਨਮੂਨਾ

What Makes Jesus Angry?

As we continue the Easter story, we see Jesus do something shocking in the days leading up to His crucifixion—He walks into the temple, flips tables, and drives people out. It’s not the image of Jesus we usually think of, but it’s an important part of the Easter story.

Why was Jesus so angry? Because the temple, the place where people were supposed to connect with God, had been turned into a marketplace.

To be clear, Jesus didn’t harm people in His extraordinary clearing of the temple. Remember, He didn’t come as a violent rebel, but as a Savior who wants to provide a way for everyone to access God’s love.

However religious leaders were using the temple for profit, making it harder for people, especially religious and cultural outsiders, to worship. So Jesus wasn’t just mad, He was likely also heartbroken. The temple was meant to be a house of prayer for everyone, but instead, it had become a place of exclusion and corruption.

But this moment wasn’t just about flipping tables—it flipped the religious establishment on its head too. The powerful leaders who benefited from the temple’s corruption weren’t about to let Jesus challenge their authority.

This act of righteous anger set off a chain of events that led directly to Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion. The religious leaders saw Him as a threat, and they began plotting to kill Him.

Jesus knew exactly what He was doing. He knew that standing up for justice would cost Him everything. But He did it anyway because His mission was always about making a way for everyone to be close to God.

Jesus’ anger wasn’t about personal preference—it was about protecting people’s access to God. He stood up for those who were being pushed away, even when it cost Him everything.

Prayer: Jesus, help me care about what You care about. Show me where I need to change and give me the courage to stand for what’s right. Amen.

Challenge: Are there places in your life where Jesus might want to flip some tables? Maybe He’s challenging attitudes, habits, or systems that keep you (or others) from fully experiencing Him. Are you willing to let Him?

For a deeper look at how Jesus handled anger and what that means for us, check out this article: What Makes Jesus Angry?