Turning the Tables Jesus was angry. He was furious when the religious leaders were ripping off worshipers. There IS a time to be angry. It has been called “righteous indignation.” Jesus didn’t sit on His emotions. He did not look the other way. He acted. Jesus didn’t make a big deal over trivial matters—this was a big deal. In turn, when the chief priests and scribes became indignant that Jesus was receiving praise, Jesus defended the actions of His worshipers. Once again, He referenced the truth of Scripture (verses 15-16, citing Psalm 8:2). Assertiveness is understood as behaving confidently and not being afraid to say what you want, need or believe. Jesus was (and is) His own man. He knew who He was, and He was comfortable asserting Himself when necessary. Ecclesiastes 3 tells us there is a time for everything, including “a time to keep silence and a time to speak.”

- Pastor Tom Harrison