What Ticked Jesus Off? (And Why Are Some Christians So Angry?)

We Christians (and I include myself in that group) are too easily offended at times.

We are a passionate people given to strong feelings and even stronger opinions. Few in our culture are confused about what matters to us. Frankly, believers are known for what we are against, and the list is long.

Certainly, many of the issues we fight for are significant. However, and let’s be honest, some of the things we get irritated about have nothing to do with Biblical truth and are far more about personal preferences.

For the record, I’m an evangelical, Bible believing pastor and Christian.

I believe the Word is clear about what matters to God.

  • Mercy and grace
  • Forgiveness and eternal life
  • Injustice
  • Abuse
  • Truth
  • Discord within the Body of Christ

And the list goes on . . .

Without question, there are a lot of things that absolutely matter to God. However, there are many things that matter to some Christians, but not so much to Christ.

  • The volume of the worship music
  • When and how often a church should take communion
  • The appropriate translation of the Bible to be used in a message
  • Guys wearing hats in church

And again, the list goes on . . .

Rather than get all spun-out over our pet peeves, perhaps we should consider one simple, yet important question: What made Jesus mad?

As Christ-followers, it would seem obvious that what upset Jesus ought to disturb us. If it mattered to Him, it should matter to us. Conversely, if it didn’t seem to matter much to Jesus, perhaps it shouldn’t matter to us.

As a pastor, author, and blogger, on a regular basis I get an email from someone “deeply concerned” about something. The long emails usually have a bite, and they are generally written by a person who is extremely upset (the CAPS and !!!! are a dead give-away).

Yes, being corrected is a good thing when you’re wrong. In fact, I welcome constructive criticism. I never want to be above rebuke because I want to live a life that is above reproach.

Rarely, however, is their “issue” related to a doctrinal concern or Biblical error on my part. Typically, it’s about a matter of style or church practice.

I get it. People have opinions, and that’s fine.

I know that not everybody sees things the way I see them, and that’s to be expected.

What continually amazes me, however, is the mean and vile nature of some who call themselves Christ-followers.

I just listened to a phone message from someone who is, at best, an infrequent attender at our church. She called to complain about something that “really bothers her.” I can deal with the fact that she’s upset. I appreciate that she is attempting to communicate with me.

The problem? She was caustic, rude, and unkind. Not at all like Jesus.

How sad.

I recently attempted to point out to another parishioner how important it is to be like Jesus when you’re outraged. He blurted out, “Yeah, but Jesus got mad! There’s such a thing as righteous indignation!”

I looked at him, and said as gently as possible, “Yes, Jesus did get infuriated at times, but perhaps it would be a worthwhile endeavor for you to study what actually ticked Jesus off.”

So, what did upset Jesus?

  • Hardness of heart (Mark 3:1-5)
  • Selfish ambition (Mark 8:31-38)
  • Spiritual arrogance (Luke 9:51-55)
  • Self-centeredness (Matthew 23:10-12)
  • Hypocrisy and fake religiosity (Luke 11:37-54)

Try as you might, you won’t find any passage in which Jesus got mad at sinners for being sinners. You will, however, find Him very angry with the so-called righteous.

You won’t find Jesus spouting off about Rome or the Emperor. He simply reminded His followers that His kingdom is not of this world.

You won’t see Jesus venting about people wearing hats in the Synagogue (they all did), or about the volume of worship (the Jews tend to like it loud, check this out).

Let’s own it: the stuff that ticks a lot of us off didn’t matter at all to Jesus.

Have your opinions. Be passionate. Express yourself.

But please stop being an angry Christian, unless it’s about something that also made Christ mad.

I love this quote by M.R. DeHaan, “We need not all agree, but if we disagree, let us not be disagreeable in our disagreements.”

What a concept. Rather than disdain, contempt, and scorn for others, let’s do our best, especially with our brothers and sisters, to live in humility, harmony, and peace.

In the words of one of my favorite NEEDTOBREATHE songs: be more heart and less attack.

“Dear brothers and sisters,

I close my letter with these last words:

Be joyful. Grow to maturity.

Encourage each other.

Live in harmony and peace.

Then the God of love and peace

will be with you.”

2 Corinthians 13:11 NLT

Kurt Bubna

Kurt W. Bubna has published seven books, is an internationally recognized blogger, conference and retreat speaker, as well as an experienced life and leadership coach. Bubna has over forty years of experience working with individuals, teams, and a wide variety of business and non-profit organizations.

This Post Has 20 Comments

  1. LaRae Long

    HERE’S TO ALL CAPS

    WELL SAID!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU’RE WRITING KEEPS IT REAL AND TO THE POINT.
    TURN IT UP AND THROW THE HATS ON.

    LOVE MY KMART PASTOR

    1. KurtBubna

      Thank you! 🙂 You are loved as well!

  2. gary

    You know what ticks me off Kurt. When people are critical of the music, hats in church, shorts, cutoffs, and, above all Pastors. I say that because my son is a pastor and some of his “good Christian” members have been so hurtful. Sometimes, I wish he was not a pastor. Anyway, that is my vent for tonight. Oh, stupid truck drivers and 4 wheel drivers tick me off too and I have to pray for them when I encounter them so I pretty much pray continually.

    1. KurtBubna

      Must be why I love you so much! Thanks for being so supportive! Stay safe on the road my friend.

  3. Martha Orlando

    Oh, wow, Kurt! I just penned a blog which will post tomorrow, and although very different from yours here, the ideas expressed are much the same. I love God-incidences like this!
    And what a great point you make about what made Jesus angry. He is the model we should be following, not making “idols” of our particular preferences.
    Blessings!

    1. KurtBubna

      Cool beans! Praying your blog is blessed!

  4. Allan Lee Smith

    Kurt, Very well said, I will post on FB!

  5. Carol King

    I love this Kurt, and could not agree more. In fact I was just about to post something on Facebook about people who call themselves Christians ranting and raving about the faults of other people – calling them prejudice, intolerant, judgemental and so on. The irony of it was that they themselves were showing their intolerance and judgement of others. Thank you for shining a light on this topic!

    1. KurtBubna

      You are welcome, Carol. Thank you for adding to the conversation and your kind words!

  6. Judy

    Hi Pastor Kurt. Good blog. Reminded me of Brant Hansen’s “Unoffendable”. Similar points that as Christians, we’re really not entitled to get offended or stay angry. Lots of bible verse references, including James 1:20, “The anger of a man does not produce the righteous of God.” Makes you think about your reasons for feeling the way you do. A good read I’d recommend to others. Have a blessed day!

    1. KurtBubna

      Hi Judy, as you probably know, Hansen’s book is one of my favorites! Thank you for adding James 1 to the mix. You are loved!

  7. Kay Anderson

    Well said, Kurt. Reminds me of something I read reminding me that in this life journey, I will never ever look into the eyes of another human being that God does not love outrageously and respect, even if he or she is living far, far away from God today. Tomorrow there could be the beginning of a radical change…if they encounter God’s love through one of His own.

    Vicious anger won’t work to change the world or another person, but rather builds a high and wide wall between people instead.

    1. KurtBubna

      Great insights, Kay, love it.

  8. Mollie Patshkowski

    Amen and again I said Amen! You are a great man of God and Pastor

    1. KurtBubna

      Thanks for the kindness, Mollie.

  9. Leah Pepito

    I love this, as I find myself in a work situation where there was under handedness and disrespect, I was being made fun of and the work environment was volatile at times, I had files thrown across the desk at me and was told this is stupid, I was yelled at by a coworker who blamed me for her troubles at work. Yesterday (3 days before my last day of work)I found out that some of my policies I wrote where stolen by this coworker where she received monetary benefits. I was furious. Before I reacted in outburst I sat at my computer and asked God what to do..I kept feeling this just leave and it over took me..I clocked off and walked off the job…whether right or wrong I didn’t want to be the volatile one or react in a manner I would have to take responsibility for. I do know there needs to be an explanation & I will be talking with HR in the next day and they are opened to what I have to say. I am very angry, hurt and upset that this has gone on in the work place in a place that prides itself doing what is right…

    1. KurtBubna

      Praying for you, Leah. Hope you feel a bit encouraged by my blog. No matter what, you are loved.

  10. Kelly

    Well said Sir!! I appreciate your techniques to keep it friendly & loving & joyful…. so the other person “hopefully” mimics that… I LIKE that. I will remember to employ that myself in my daily routines to hopefully make my surroundings a better place…& it can’t hurt my attitude if I attempt to be at peace & joyful myself.

    1. KurtBubna

      Thank you, Kelly. I’m always reminded it’s better to be a thermostat (affecting our environment) rather than a thermometer (just reflecting it). You are loved.

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