Day 3: HOLY TUESDAY
Scripture
MARK 11:20-33 (NIV)
In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!”
“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?”
Jesus replied, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin? Tell me!”
They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin’ …” (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.)
So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”
Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”
Devotion
The cursing of the fig tree (v20) has always stuck out as one of stranger miracles for me. In my adolescence, I would take inspiration by cursing things that did not work as intended; though I eventually refrained, because I realized I wanted them to function and not "wither". It is only recently that I've learned the significance of Jesus' destructive miracle was an indicator for the pious trappings, yet barren faith of the nation of Israel; and as a warning to believers. I'm reminded of the passage in Matthew 7:15-20, where Jesus talks about false prophets and how His followers will "recognize them by their fruit…" (v16) Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." (v19).
Jesus, however makes no mention of this, at least, verbally to the disciples, and instead tells them to "Have faith in God." (v22); and proceeds to give a teaching on speaking and praying in faith. On face value, I find myself in doubt at the assurances Jesus gives. To my knowledge, I know of no mountain that has been tossed into the sea (v23), oranyone that has received all the things they prayed for in faith (v24). Even Jesus seemingly had a prayer go unanswered, at the garden of Gethsemane, before he was taken (Matthew 26:39), but it should be noted He left all things in the Father’s will. It can be difficult to understand Jesus’ words at times, even when they seem as direct as this. What I can comprehend are that all desires and prayers must start at faith in God; and that God is the one to grant (v23, v24) all things to us.
Jesus also emphasizes the importance of forgiveness during prayer. “forgive..,so that your Father…will also forgive you for your offenses.” (Mark 11:25), similar to what he said in the sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:14-15). How often I come to God with my pains and requests while still holding some unforgiveness in my heart. But Jesus makes it clear that any prayerful time with the Lord must be intertwined with a forgiving heart, perhaps as a reminder that the Lord is ever extending His forgiveness and grace to me.
Once Jesus arrives at the temple, there is a clear contrast in the way that He addresses his disciples compared to the religious leaders there (Mark 11:27-33). Where Jesus is open and instructive with the disciples; with the religious leaders, He is wary and cryptic; using their own schemes against them. They don’t seek to learn from Him, only to trap and deny Him. I can see why Jesus might have left Jerusalem at the end of each day. It must have been tiresome to deal with the corruption of the temple leadership; who were supposed to have been the stewards of God’s people, but instead were responsible for the spiritual barrenness of Israel.
Questions for reflection
What is a “mountain”-like area in my life that God is asking me to have faith in Him for?
Knowing that the Lord calls me to forgive others at every opportunity to pray, how can I remind myself of His command, and that I can truly forgive because the Lord forgave me?
Prayer
Dear God, Thank you for your Word. Thank you for the miracle of the withered fig; and the warning of false religion that bears no fruit. Thank you for the assurance that my requests and desires will be done for me, simply with faith in you, Lord. I confess I do not fully grasp this extravagant promise, nor do I feel I have enough faith to grasp onto it; but would I submit to it all the same; knowing you are a gracious and good God.
Lord, I desire to forgive those with whom I hold something against; those who have wronged me or caused me to hold onto bitterness. I look to your ultimate example on the cross; where you sacrificed yourself to forgive me, a wretched sinner; and gave me a restored eternal life in relationship to you. I ask for the humility to obey, to be one who bears fruit, and does not lead others astray in religion that only benefits myself. Would I be mindful of areas where I haven’t submitted to you and if I have a hard heart like those of the priests and teachers; so I might take heed and come under your authority, Jesus.
Thank you Lord for your provision, grace and correction. In your name, Amen.
written by Tim Chen
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Family Devotional
Holy Tuesday: Mark 11:20-33
As you read the story invite your kids to draw their favorite fruits. After reading, ask your kids how would you feel if you wanted to eat this fruit but it wasn’t available? How did Jesus react when the fig tree wasn’t bearing fruit? In this story Jesus is using the fig tree as an example for how God’s people hadn’t been following him. When we follow Jesus we bear spiritual fruit.
If you have time play a game of charades. Invite your kids to pick things that have to do with following Jesus (praying, worshipping, helping others, etc.) Then take time to pray that we would be genuine in our faith, that we wouldn’t just look like we’re following Jesus but we actually would be following Him.