Well, I'll admit Jesus got a little carried away in dealing with those temple moneychangers. The Cursing of the Fig Tree was a little puzzling and out of character, too.

Guess he just got pissed off a couple of times. There's also some indication in the second-century Infancy Gospel of Thomas that Jesus may not have had a Zen attitude as a child. More good stories here (click).

But in general, Jesus was a model of nonviolence and compassion. I try to follow that example, but I get pissed off sometimes, too. In general, though, I think we're most effective when we confront injustice with integrity and compassion and nonviolence.

-Joe-