In Mark 3:1–6 Jesus healed a man with a withered hand while his antagonists looked on with displeasure. The text notes that they were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus. Rather than avoid conflict, however, Jesus brought the disabled man to the front of the crowd. Looking around at his detractors in anger, with deep distress at their stubborn hearts, he completely restored the man’s hand. His anger was justified by his compassion; it was certainly not an issue of injured self-concern. Any form of evil that either inhibited a person’s quality of life or lurked in the hearts of those desirous to prohibit its destruction caused a righteous indignation in Jesus. The Greek tense indicates that Jesus’ anger was only momentary in contrast to the continuous distress he felt over their hardness of hearts. Serving leaders are fervently opposed to evil, looking for opportunities to expose and destroy its diabolical grip on people’s lives.

Lead, love, and serve, like Jesus!

KEY QUESTIONS: What riles my spirit? Do I tend to avoid conflict at all costs or engage in it when the need arises? What defines evil? In practical terms, how might I expose and destroy its diabolical grip on others’ lives?