I’ve written about outrage before, and this part of Jesus’ arrest and trial reveals that outrage may always be lurking just below the surface.

Then, as an act of outrage, the high priest tore his robe and shouted, “No more witnesses are needed, for you’ve heard this grievous blasphemy.” Turning to the council he said, “Now, what is your verdict?” “He’s guilty and deserves the death penalty!” they all answered. Then they spat on his face and blindfolded him. Others struck him over and over with their fists and taunted him by saying, “Prophesy to us! Tell us which one of us is about to hit you next?” And the guards took him and beat him. (Mark 14.63 – 65, Passion Translation)

As I say, people seem to have outrage resting right below the surface. All they need is provocation, and it comes out. Believers are no exception, but we should be. Certainly, religious people of all stripes are no exception. 

Even if the religious leaders sincerely believed Jesus was blasphemous and deserved punishment or even execution, there’s no reason for the violence. They could have calmly taken him to the Romans for execution. They could have even whipped him under Jewish law, which had restraint built in. “Not more than 40 lashes so your brother won’t be degraded…” But this is uncontrolled violence, in violation of their own law.

The works of the sinful nature include “outbursts of anger.” 

When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. (Galatians 5.19 – 21, NLT, emphasis mine)

Maybe that’s why the fruit of the Spirit (the opposite of the works of the sinful nature) includes self-control!

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! (Galatians 5.22, 23, NLT, emphasis mine)