Tuesday, Holy Week: Everything on its ear (Devotions for Lent from the Gospel of Mark)

Yesterday, Jesus encountered a fig tree on his way to the Temple. Although it isn’t the season for figs, he went looking for figs anyway. Not finding any, he cursed the tree saying, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” Then, he turned everything in the Temple on its ear.

After a raucous Monday, Jesus and his disciples return to the Temple Mount. They pass the tree Jesus curse and find it has withered to its roots. Now the disciples take note of what he said to the tree yesterday.

In the Temple courtyard, the chief priests, scribes, and elders of the people begin to ask Jesus all sorts of questions to trip him up. They question his authority and his teaching, but he answers them in parables and riddles. He quotes scripture in ways that make no sense to them.

On the side, he teaches his disciples about forgiveness. He points out the example of a poor widow who gives to the Temple treasury from her whole self; all she has to live on. He warns them to be wary of those with power.

As they leave the Temple Mount, the disciples turn and admire the buildings of Jerusalem and the Temple looming large on the horizon.

Jesus says these buildings are nothing at all, and will one day be left in rubble. He speaks again about his coming death and the signs of the end of things. These things are nearer than anyone realizes, yet no one seems to notice.

Jesus speaks from the heart of the city about what it means to be spiritual in economic, political, and social realms. Like the fig tree, people are expected to produce fruit out of season. Specifically, they are expected to forgive and to give everything they have for the sake of others. They are expected to live as citizens of God’s empire, even as they navigate life in Caesar’s empire. If they don’t, they and the whole world will be a cursed place. No one understands what he’s saying. The Temple courtyard has been cleared, and he has explained everything well, but that doesn’t mean people’s minds and hearts have been cleansed.

Text for the day:

Mark 11:20-14:2

Things to think about:

We are called to produce fruit out of season.

Things to do:

Go out of your way to do something kind and selfless for someone else today.

Jesus, move me to action.

Monday, week one: Calling, calling, calling… (Devotions for Lent from the Gospel of Mark)

Jesus begins his ministry in Galilee with a proclamation and then heads lakeside. There he finds two sets of brothers casting and mending nets. They are fishermen, skilled in their craft and accustomed to working side by side.

Jesus tells them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.”

Then, they leave nets, boats, hired hands, and father. They leave everything and follow Jesus.

It’s not their following Jesus that bothers us so much as the fact that they leave everything immediately. These few verses cause us to wonder, “Do I lack the stamina and faith to do what Jesus asks?” However, it’s not very helpful to compare ourselves to them; at this point in the story, they are strangers to us and their relationship with Jesus is a complete unknown. Who knows why they drop their nets and follow?

What we do know is that Jesus has made a highly controversial political statement; offered himself for baptism as a sign of repentance; was driven into the wild where he was tempted, faced danger, and was waited on by angels; and now asks four fishermen to follow him and fish for people.

Two things are worthy of our attention. First, this is a compelling call. Jesus calls these fishermen to fish, to keep doing what they already know how to do, but to do it in an entirely different way, for an entirely different purpose. And second, following him will change them. Jesus will make them do something they haven’t done before. He will make them into something they haven’t been before.

Perhaps that is why they follow.

Text for the day:

Mark 1:16-20

Things to think about:

What feelings do these verses stir in you?

How is Jesus calling you to use your current skills and talents in an entirely different way?

Consider what you must leave behind in order to follow where Jesus leads.

Things to do:

Pray for the people who will be touched because Jesus has called you.

Jesus, make me use my skill and talents for people.