Jesus was a very gentle man. Right? We sing “Fairest Lord Jesus . . .” Or “Gentle Savior Meek and Mild . . .” Jesus was Mr. Nice Guy, the prototype sensitive male. Respectful of women. Loved little children. Kind to his mother. What is he doing, then, in the temple courts during the holiest season of the Jewish year, overturning tables and scattering coins and using a whip, of all things, to drive both people and cattle out of the courtyard?  Imagine if someone came into our church and disturbed our service like that? We would think he was demented or criminal, and we would want him punished.

No wonder the religious people were so upset. Combine this incident with his diatribes against the scribes and Pharisees  and it was no wonder that he was crucified. He didn’t have the ACLU looking a…