indignant

We live in an indignant culture.  We call it the outrage culture.  We hear of news of something that someone else has said or done and, whether it's true or not, we're indignant, outraged.  We tell others, verbally, or electronically, and the indignance grows.  

Jesus knew all about indignant . The synagogue leaders were indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath (Luke 13:14); the chief priests and teachers of the Law were indignant that the children were shouting Hosanna to Jesus as Son of David (Matthew 21:15); his own disciples were indignant at James & John for seeking first place in the Kingdom (Matthew 20:24, Mark 10:41) and at the woman who wasted the perfume on Jesus' body (Matthew 26:8).  The indignance grew.  

Jesus Himself was indigent, but differently.  He was indignant at His disciples who kept the children away, the same word used for their indignance and that of the religious leaders.  But His indignance wasn't outrage, judgement, anger.  It was an indignance of the heart, ostered welcome, understanding, and healing, as when He was indignant with the leper who wondered if Jesus wanted to heal him (Mark 12:41), the word here indicating a deep feeling of compassion for the one who was left out.

May we renounce the former indignance, knowing that unforgiveness will hinder us, and particularly our prayers (Mark 11:25).  And may we move towards Jesus' different form of indignant which will move our hearts and wills to embrace and heal.