Q3: Was Jesus a Mean Man?





Introduction

        Jesus is referred to as the Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6), Peter preached peace through Jesus Christ to Cornelius and family (Acts. 10:34-38), and most of the epistles opened with the phrase; “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

        However, if this is the case; that he is a peace-bearing individual, then why does certain parts of scripture paint a different picture of him?


The Passover Pandemonium

        John chapter two is well-known by bible students for the first miracle that Jesus performed at the Wedding at Cana (vs. 1-11); Water into Wine. However, if you read on into the next scene you see a side of Jesus that most students would rather not know about. In verses 13-16 it reads:

Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the moneychangers doing business. When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers' money and overturned the tables. And He said to those who sold doves, "Take these things away! Do not make My Father's house a house of merchandise!"  (NKJV)



Wow! Does this seem like a Prince of Peace to you? A man chasing people with a whip and overturning tables? Now if you read closely, you will notice that Jesus did not harm anyone or any animal in the temple. It was a scare tactic and it worked! These individuals had no business setting up shop in the temple. It was primarily for the convenience of travelers from other cities and countries. Still, there was a lack of respect as these merchants were doing their common transactions on “holy” ground.



Name-Calling?

        Another example is found in Matthew 23; the entire chapter has Jesus resorting to name-calling. Hypocrites (vs. 13,14,15,23,25,27,29); Fools and blind guides; (vs. 16,17,19,24,26) Serpents, brood of vipers (vs. 33).

        In a way you can see this as childish behavior but, in essence, the Scribes and Pharisees were behaving like spoiled brats (vs. 2-7) and so the punishment fits the crime as they say. Jesus said it this way to get, not only the attention of those he was referring to, but also those who were present who paid homage to these individuals who heralded themselves as God’s people. Read Matt. 6 to get an idea of what the Pharisees were like.


Not Peace, but a Sword!

A final example is found in Mt. 10:34-37 Jesus makes this statement, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to 'set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law'; and 'a man's enemies will be those of his own household.' He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.”



For one called the Prince of Peace this statement seems rather disturbing. However, if you look at the context you can see what he means. His arrival is not to bring dissention but it will cause it; as not everyone in a family will be on the Lord’s side. The is one of the big problems with an interfaith marriage. When husband and wife have two completely different views of religion, it will cause tension in the household. Children may be raised in one belief or another but, in the long run, they will end up choosing sides; even if it’s a side against both parents.



Defend the Faith!

        In Jude 3 we are told to “contend earnestly for the faith” which means we are not to sit back and idly watch others do things contrary to the Bible, God, and Jesus. We need to get involved and stand up for what’s right. Don’t get me wrong I’m not telling to you go out and overturn tables, threaten people with a whip, or resort to name-calling. But go up to someone and point out their error; siting Book, Chapter and Verse from scripture.



Conclusion

        Our weapon is the Word of God (Eph. 6:17; Heb. 4:12) and we are to go into battle everyday with our sword drawn. To bring about peace in this world, sometimes you have to go to war first. Always remember that God is on your side (Rom. 8:31), if you are on His side (Jn. 14:15; Mt. 7:21).


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