When Jesus returned to Jerusalem, he went into the Temple and began to throw out those who were buying and selling there. He turned over the tables of those who were exchanging different kinds of money, and he upset the benches of those who were selling doves. Jesus refused to allow anyone to carry goods through the Temple courts. Then he taught the people, saying, “It is written in the Scriptures, ‘My Temple will be called a house for prayer for people from all nations.’ But you are changing God’s house into a ‘hideout for robbers.’” The leading priests and the teachers of the law heard all this and began trying to find a way to kill Jesus. They were afraid of him, because all the people were amazed at his teaching. (Mark 11:15-18)

We often want to focus on the gentle, forgiving, healing, friendly Jesus, but we also find a fierce Jesus in Scripture. Here he is throwing aside tables and tossing out the swindlers desecrating God’s house. And this isn’t an isolated situation. He fiercely defended people being treated unjustly. He fiercely confronted religious people who seemed to know how to act and look but didn’t allow God’s presence to infiltrate their lives to the core.

The fierceness of Jesus might make us squirm a bit, but it’s an important part of who Jesus is. We even rely on Jesus’ fierceness. Jesus is Lord and Savior, which isn’t a job for wimps. We need a defender and protector. We need him to be a righteous judge. Fierceness is a requirement of all of these things. Fierceness is part of who Jesus is because it’s required for him to fulfill the role only he can fulfill for us.

Fierce Jesus provides us with relief and comfort. Because of his fierceness, we do not have to feel victimized or overpowered, because ultimately, Jesus will overcome. He overcame the world, so any situation that ever needs overcome is within his realm of possibilities and purpose.

We might not often consider or find comfort in the fierceness of God, but perhaps we should. His fierceness provides for and protects us. In our obedience, we find comfort within fierceness.