Our world news is so full of anger every day. I sometimes sit and wonder where the next explosion of anger will come from. My wife says that I shout at my computer if it does not boot up quickly enough and I have not noticed that I do it!

Jesus took the Commandment ”you shall not murder” in our passage and extended it to almost say ”do not be angry”. I am angry about some of the world events where cruelty and terrible suffering are deliberately chosen by wicked people. In history, in the 1930’s, Stalin and the leaders of the Soviet Union deliberately starved millions of peasants of their own country into submission, facing awful suffering whilst they lived in luxury. There are times like that to be angry but, for most of us, Jesus is calling us to a life of love not anger and a life of gratitude not jealousy.

Have you been angry in recent days? Have you asked yourself ”if Jesus was standing next to me what would he have said?”. I have promised myself that I will not shout at my computer in future!

On the way to the cross, being crucified on a false charge, dying in yours and my place, Jesus said nothing until at his last he said ”Father forgive them” – no trace of anger… just LOVE.