The story of Jesus losing his cool and clearing the Temple is one of a very small group of stories about Jesus that is mentioned in all four Gospels.

Jesus was one angry dude that day. And in that anger he did some pretty astonishing things.

The Synoptic Gospels place this scene in the final week of Jesus' life. John claims it happened at the beginning of Jesus' ministry becoming the tone for the conflict Jesus has with the leaders throughout his ministry.

Personally, I believe the chronology of the Synoptics is correct.

I doubt the Jewish leaders would have let such an act pass without swift and decisive retaliation.

And just what made Jesus so angry? Was it simply because they were selling merchandize in the Temple courts? I doubt that's the case. Whatever the cause, Jesus goes berserk!

And that image is unsettling. It doesn't fit with our "meek and mild Jesus" picture.

This Jesus is wild and dangerous, not someone we can control or manipulate.

Some claim it can't be true because "God doesn't get angry."

You can only make the claim that God doesn't get angry if you ignore large segments of the Bible.

God does get angry, usually with those who claim to be his followers but who are not really following him.

Which leads me to the question of application. How do we use this story to run a check on our lives?

Which rooms could use some spring-cleaning?

The Library, the Dinning Room, the Workshop, the Recreation Room, the Family Room, the Closet?