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To follow Christ is a humble path - a path of love and service, in union with the Trinity.
Week 11 Greatness and Humility
We start each of these weeks with a passion prediction. This is the third and final prediction. Again the disciples do not understand. They are still thinking of greatness.
Day 1 Third passion prediction Mk 10:32-34
At this point with these passages, you may find that they are becoming boring. It is hard to stay disciplined. It is a kind of little death to self each time you have to pray, and you may feel nothing. The temptation is to give up. Jesus reminds us to take up our cross, like he did and keep going. You are headed for death, just as much as Jesus is. You are his disciple. Each time you pray is a little death to self. But gradually, you will experience the resurrection. A changed self will be starting to emerge. Don't give up.
Day 2 Misunderstanding of disciples and Disciples instruction Mk 10:35-45
You must become the slave of all, if you wish to be the greatest. No one will guide you in this. It is a gradual change of heart as you give up seeking glory in this life, to seeking God's will alone. As you give God more and more control of your life, letting him provide for you, you will become less controlling of others and more trusting.
This world has too many chiefs and not enough indians. The work of the gospel does not rely upon positions and organisations, but on love and service. Of caring for others and living according to God's plan. Of serving and helping others. This creates the social fabric of society and the fabric of the Kingdom of God. Do it for Christ.
Day 3 Bartimaeus Mk 10:46-52
Are you blind? Do you need to cry out to Jesus to see more clearly? Cry out with your heart to God for more love and more understanding.
Day 4 The Triumphant Entry Mk 11:1-11
Jesus is the fulfilment of Jewish expectations. Many welcome Jesus with open arms. But they are not there at the foot of the cross. Will you be?
Day 5 The Barren Fig Tree I Mk 11:12-14
This is a strange passage. But will make sense when we read the other part on the story on Day 7. It is a lived parable. What could the fig tree be? Think of the triumphant entry and the cleansing of the temple...
Day 6 The Second Cleansing of the Temple Mk 11:15-19
Jesus can get angry and does. When a job needs to be done, Jesus will do it. He is judge of the living and the dead. The sellers and money changers were in the wrong. The temple is Jesus' own home. Without it being a place of prayer how could people come to know God? We too need to be radical to maintain our prayer time each day. We may need to caste out bad habits, such as too much TV, to ensure we have a prayer time.
Day 7 The Barren Fig Tree II Mk 11:20-26
Jesus turns this parable into an example of the power of faith. The leaves of the fig tree represent the triumphant entry into Jerusalem. No prayer in the temple represents the temple being used as a market. Jesus casts them out. Jesus curses the fig tree. It is not the season. This pruning leads to the following passages of questioning, but eventually his own death. Still not the season. Even with his resurrection, disciples still don't believe. Still not the season. But with the coming of the Holy Spirit we have a powerful growth of the Church where they daily met in the temple. Now has come the season. New life, the fruits of the spirit. Anything that does not bear fruit is ultimately cursed and of no avail. We need to curse, get rid of bad habits that don't bring us closer to Christ and grow good habits of prayer and service. To bring forth the fruit that God desires, love, joy, peace, kindness etc.
