And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus answered, “The most important is, Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:28–31

On the Tuesday after Palm Sunday, Jesus and his disciples returned to Jerusalem from Bethany. On the walk, the disciples saw the fig tree that Jesus cursed the day before. Peter pointed it out and Jesus used it as a teaching opportunity.

As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. And Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” (Mark 11:20–26)

Jesus encouraged the disciples by telling them that with faith, they can do that which seems impossible. We must have faith that God will remove anything that hinders us from bearing fruit for him. In Matthew’s account of this event, he portrays Jesus’ words of judgment upon those whose lives are not fully devoted to Christ. Just as the tree was hypocritical—looking one way (fully bloomed), but in reality was another—so there is judgment for those who should be bearing fruit but do not. And just as the fig tree withered (as a symbol of judgment upon Israel), so God will remove any aspect of us that does not bear fruit.

Jesus and his disciples continued toward Jerusalem. When they arrived at the temple, the chief priests and scribes began questioning Jesus’ authority—By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority? (Matthew 21:23) Faced with their hostility, Jesus refused to answer their questions. Instead he turned the tables, figuratively this time, and asked them a question (which they could, or would, not answer) and then began speaking to them in parables (mostly about judgment on the leaders for their refusal to encourage the people to accept God’s kingdom invitation and of his return at the end of the age). It is also during this discourse that Jesus gave the Great Command to love God and love others.

The thing that strikes me most about this exchange is the leaders audacity to question Jesus. Think about this from Jesus’ perspective: he knew that in three days he would be beaten and crucified and here are these religious leaders questioning his authority? What an utter waste of time! There had to be more important things to do in order to get ready for Friday . . . and Sunday! And yet, Jesus took the time to address them. In a round about way, he told them that his authority is an out of this world authority that they would never understand. He returned their volley with a question of his own. When they couldn’t answer, Jesus implied that because his authority is greater than any other authority, not only on earth but in all of the cosmos, he would not give them a direct answer to their question. And Jesus moved on, continuing to teach and do what he could to prepare the people for what was to come.

At the close of day, just as he had done the past few days, Jesus returned to Bethany; one day closer to becoming our Redeemer.

Prayer

Dear Lord, as we near the end of Lent, may we turn back to you, God, seeking your forgiveness, healing, and wholeness. May our hearts be renewed in this time of worship. Father, we pray all of these things, in the authoritative name of Jesus, and the power of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Jesus Only Jesus

Who has the power to raise the dead?
Who can save us from our sin?
He is our hope, our righteousness
Jesus, only Jesus

Who can make the blind to see?
Who holds the keys that set us free?
He paid it all to bring us peace
Jesus, only Jesus

Holy, King almighty Lord
Saints and angels all adore
I join with them and bow before
Jesus, only Jesus

Who can command the highest praise?
Who has the name above all names?
You stand alone, I stand amazed
Jesus, only Jesus

You will command the highest praise
Yours is the name above all names
You stand alone, I stand amazed
Jesus, only Jesus