The Gospel of Mark, chapter 11, verses 12-19

Will this be an exciting, dyamic new era? Or will Jesus be yet another wannabe rebel leader who is co-opted by a complex and ensconsed religious institution; or come up against the fickleness of public opinion and be found ultimately wanting; or be snuffed out by the monumental power of Rome, leaving earth with barely a whimper?

It makes me think of the present situation, with a new American President coming into his office with such hopeful fanfare and electric presence.  Many are wondering the same kind of thing - what will happen next?  Some are naively optimistic, others so jaded and cynical they've already written the "new era" off as doomed to similar possible fates as Jesus faced.  Others already notice the "what's wrong with him" sifting through what everyone hails as so "right" about him.  In short, will it be another disappointment?  His charisma will bring a season of hope, but can never overcome such immense obstacles?

I find, in honestly assessing my thoughts about this sort of thing, it gets me to start asking some personal, and uncomfortable questions.  I am humbled to admit that whenever I hear myself criticizing, judging, writing people off...I discover an ugly tendency to deflect judgment from my own faults and shortcomings.  Sometimes my criticism is constructive and loving, but this occurs too infrequently to signify any positive trend I can hang my hat on.

So Jesus uses his first day to cut to the chase. He cleanses the Temple, clearing out the ways it had come to be used by the Jews and their leaders for selfish profit, exclusion, religious elitism; elevating ritual over right relationship with God available for all who would wholeheartedly seek him. His actions and words are of a king making judgement his first act, not ingratiation or accomodation.  He immediately starts pointing the finger.  And people know it.  The wheels start turning immediately to snuff this new king out before the week is out.

But the first cut goes deep.  Jesus goes beyond a superficial judgement on institutions and abstract authority.  That would make it far too easy for self-secure..or insecure... people to shuffle behind him and start shouting "Yeah! You tell 'em Jesus!" Jesus also uses this day to confront the cold and lifeless heart of all the Jews - the people of God, the recipients and conveyors of covenant relationship.  He curses the fig tree (a symbol of the Jewish people) because he finds nothing but leaves, it is unfruitful.  He passes divine judgement on everyone who have convinced themselves that the ritual and legalistic righteousness is all that's needed to show themselves faithful, but they bear no fruit in the world...in the lives of others.

I tend to want the kingship of Christ in my life insofar as it provides me blessing: protection, peace, victory, purpose.  But kingship also comes with correction...with judgement. My king looks upon me and sees into my very core...and all which it contains, shows, or tries to hide deep.  He sees the selfishness, the self-centeredness, the isolation, the guilt, the shame...all the reasons my branches are devoid of fruit because I keep all the nutrients provided by God's blessed soil, sun and water to myself.

Day one is painful.  It's shocking.  It presents a difficult picture of Jesus...and the myself my King of kings Jesus exposes... I'd like to avoid.   But it's a necessary first step on the way to the promise and hope of Thursday, the amazing goodness and grace of Friday, and the victory and peace of Sunday.

I challenge you to live into this first day and not be afraid.  Yes, it involves realizing the truth of Christ's deep and thorough judgement.  No one likes to be judged.  Everyone does what he or she can to deflect it.  But this time, this week, avoid that temptation and be humble.  The judgement of King Jesus is correction with love as its foundation and goal.   He wants to have us see the depth of our need for salvation, and hopeless position to bring it to ourselves, so that we will realize our need for a savior.  Then, he will be that savior through his cross.

Obeying Jesus' kingly command to journey into your center you discover your true self.  Bravely walking through your center, into your core, you find Jesus waiting for you with a face of love and outstretched arms.

Prayer:

Gracious Lord, we no longer look for Jesus among the dead, for he is alive and has become the Lord of life, king of our hearts. Increase in our minds and hearts the riesn life we share with Christ, and help us to grow as your people toward the fulness of eternal life with you, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.