Mark 11:12-25 The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it. On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching. When evening came, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city. 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.”
As we all know, this is the week that leads up to Resurrection Sunday, also known as Easter. This is the day that we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior. I think that this is a great time for reflection on the events that lead up to that glorious resurrection day, and I would like to do something a bit different this week. I am going to share the words of a friend of mine rather than my own words. The words that you will read over the next five days were written by my friend, Bro. William “Quentin” McCardle. Quentin was not only a friend, he was a pastor and a high school culinary arts teacher. He touched the lives of many during his short time on earth. He invited me to speak at his church once, and his flock welcomed me with open arms. He also spoke at one of our ladies’ ministry meetings at our church and taught us to prepare some hot and spicy jambalaya. He told us that he planned to have a cookbook printed one day, and he like the title “Praise the Lord and Pass the Biscuits.” That dream never came to fruition as Bro. Quentin was called to his heavenly home last year. Bro. Quentin was a man who loved God, loved his family, loved his church, loved his students, and loved to cook. However, he left us at a young age, but he behind a legacy. Each year during Holy Week, he shared a daily devotional describing the events of that particular day of the week. I would like to honor Bro. Quentin by sharing his writings in my blog this week. The following words are his, not mine. Let us take this week to really savor the Word of God and realize the great price our Lord paid for our salvation. Read Mark chapter 11 as part of your daily scripture reading today.
During Holy Week I want to share the significance of each day. Leading up to the Lord’s crucifixion and resurrection. Monday was the day Jesus headed to the Temple and was angered by the thievery taking place there. However, on His way he noticed a fig tree full of leaves. Being hungry, he approached the tree hoping to eat of it’s fruit, but the tree was barren. He then cursed the tree and by the next day, it had withered and died. When asked to explain, He likened the fig tree to Israel. They had the Word of the Law and Prophets but yet failed to realize Jesus is the Messiah. They had a form of godliness, but instead of trusting Jesus, they placed their faith in their religious obligations, thus making them useless in Kingdom work. Don’t be guilty of trusting in your religion. Religion teaches you how to try and work your way into the Kingdom, but only faith and trust in the Messiah will take you there. Don’t be like the barren fig tree, you may look like a healthy Christian, but if you aren’t producing fruit, you are worthless to the Lords work. Stay tuned for Tuesday’s significance as we follow Christ during the last week of His earthly ministry.
Inspirations from the Funny Farm 