Matthew 26 is a chapter that's full of indignation. Each indignant person in this chapter is convinced it's righteous indignation (except Peter right at the end - that's basically just practiced indignation). Only Jesus' indignation is actually righteous, and, wait, even though he could in all fairness be indignant in this chapter of Matthew, he actually isn't.
Matthew 26:8. The disciples are indignant at the woman's blatant waste. That money could have been spent on serving the poor. They were righteously indignant, as we should be when money is not spent wisely, stewardly, with thought to those whom Jesus' prioritizes. Clearly. But, hang on. Jesus says no. "She has done a beautiful thing". Look deeper - what is this all about? What is religion all about? "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself." (Matthew 22:37-39) The second love is like the first, because it depends on it. Loving your neighbour doesn't stand alone. "We love because he first loved us" (1 John 4:19) How did God show his love to us? "God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him" (1 John 4:9). The woman was an example to Jesus' disciples and to us ("wherever this gospel is proclaimed") because she knew that in order to love others best, we need to love our Saviour first. So wait a sec before you get indignant. Where is Jesus in this story you are indignantly judging? Look for Jesus first, and then make sure to look for his way forward.
Matthew 26:33-35. Peter is indignant because he knows for sure he will never fall away. He will never deny Jesus. Never. Not even by the end of the day. Jesus shakes his head lovingly and says, "Well, actually...." A little humility goes a long way, Peter. And Alice. "Though they all fall away... I will never". Others will, but not me. Hang on a second, is that chunk of bark in the way of my view of all those others who will likely fall away from Jesus? Let me work on getting that log out of my eye first.
Now there's a little "no indignation" intermission. All of Jesus' disciples fall asleep during his most sorrowful hour. "Wake up, friends, you can sleep some more later. My time has come." Note: no indignation here from Jesus, even though it deserved all the indignation. Indignation would look something like: What the heck?? My toughest time and you couldn't even support me then?? That's not Jesus' reaction.
Matthew 26:51. One of those who was with Jesus gets physical in their indignation and cuts off an enemy ear with their sword. What a courageous and loyal, righteously indignant friend. They were there when Jesus needed them. Got them right on the ear too! But Jesus says - no. That's not my way. I don't need you for this. You have other tasks to do and roles to fulfill in my kingdom. Cutting people's ears off is not one of them. Jesus didn't need this indignation, because he has God almighty, all-powerful, magnificent on his side. Alice, go ahead and do the other things you are equipped to do and leave the protecting up to the perfect protector. "God is our refuge and strength ... Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth" Psalm 46:1&10. Be still does not include physical outbursts of indignation, but simply trusting that God's got the protection of his people and his Holy Name in hand.
Matthew 26:65. The high priest tears his robe and calls out "Blasphemy!" Righteous indignation against the blaspheming of his God's Holy Name. Standing up for God at the final hour. At that final hour where this call of indignation seals the deal for Jesus' death.... Huh, what happened here? In their "righteous" indignation they turned out to mistakenly be on the wrong side. In my "righteous" indignation I could possibly be too.... Am I sure that God is on side with my indignant call for justice/right/judgment?
Now I am sitting outside the courtyard. Someone comes up to me and says, "You also were with that man that no-one likes, who is being ridiculed and whipped (insinuation: you should probably be ridiculed and whipped too)". I'm really well-versed in indignation, and as above sometimes even get indignant for the wrong reasons and when I'm just kind of scared (e.g. of being ridiculed or whipped). And so I (indignantly) deny it before them all, saying, "I don't know what you mean." And when I go out to the entrance, another person sees me and says to the bystanders, "This woman is one of them - a Jesus follower". And again I deny it with an oath (getting more indignant): "I do not know the man." After a little while the bystanders come up and say to me, "You definitely are one of them, you sound like them." Then I begin to invoke a curse on myself and to swear (full-on indignant over here) "I do not know the man." (I'm really scared and just want to be left alone in my small corner). And immediately the rooster crows. I remember the saying of Jesus, "You too will deny me."
And I go out and weep bitterly.
Bitter weeping is the only place my "righteous" indignation gets me.
Thank goodness Jesus still looks on me with love (Luke 22:61)
