Why do the nations so furiously rage together, why do the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth rise up, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against His anointed. (Psalms 2:1-2)

We furiously rage together - rulers or not - because of greed, fear, hatred, and self-righteousness. I cannot find another reason.

Of these motivations a mix of fear and self-righteousness is especially dangerous.

When we are convinced of our own good it is too easy to perceive another's difference as the opposite of good. What is the opposite of good?

There is evil. When we encounter evil it should be resisted.

But what is new, different, and unexpected is not always evil. Jesus was all of these. The self-righteous perceived ultimate good as evil, feared it, and set themselves against it.

You may listen to Why do the nations so furiously rage from the Messiah performed by the Academy of St. Martin's in the Fields.