Canyon Ministries

Passion Week Meditations — Day 2: Monday

In the morning sunlight, before most of the village inhabitants have left their homes, a small group of men exits a house in Bethany and they walk up the slope on the east side of the Mount of Olives. For a second day they travel along the road to Jerusalem — this time without the shouting throngs that accompanied them yesterday. Jesus leads the way. Being hungry, He catches sight of a fig tree along the roadside. Although it has leaves, its expected fruit is nowhere to be found. The next season for producing figs will not come until summer, and this is springtime. Its healthy, leafy appearance belies its fruitlessness. As they gather around the tree, the disciples hear Jesus say, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again” (Mark 11:12–14 ESV). The Creator of fruit trees (Genesis 1:11–12) has spoken.

When they enter Jerusalem, Jesus leads His disciples back to the temple (Mark 11:15–16). They watch in amazement as Jesus, for a second time in His ministry (see John 2:14–16), drives the merchants out of the temple, overturns the money changers’ tables, and chases away the sellers of pigeons and doves. As Jesus does so, He declares that the Lord’s house should be a house of prayer for all nations rather than a den of thieves — just exactly what the prophets (Isaiah 56:7; Jeremiah 7:11) had written. The Lord of all nations, the Refiner’s Fire (Malachi 3:1–3), has spoken.

Some Greek pilgrims who have come to Jerusalem for the Passover find Philip and tell him they want to see Jesus (John 12:20–36). Therefore, Philip gets Andrew and they bring the Greeks to Jesus. In keeping with the significance of Passover, Jesus tells the Greeks the time for His death has come. Then Jesus publicly prays, “Father, save me from this hour … Father, glorify your name.” Following His prayer, everyone says they thought they were hearing thunder. The Father has spoken to His Son, confirming the time has indeed arrived. Jesus says to everyone, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” The Judge of all the earth and Savior of mankind has spoken.

Jesus’ hearers immediately reject what He says — they will not believe that He has come to bring them salvation from their sins (John 12:37–50). Do they remember that the Father had already given all authority for judgment to the Son (John 5:22)? Even before that, the Son of God had brought judgment upon the world in the days of Noah (Genesis 6–9), as well as judgment upon Egypt in the days of Moses and Aaron (Exodus 7–11). Now Jesus the Messiah will die in order that He might bring judgment upon Satan and deliver sinners from the bondage of unbelief. At the end of earth’s history, Jesus’ words will judge everyone. Once more, Jesus pleads with those around Him to believe Him and to believe His words. He has spoken.

Are you listening to Jesus? Are you curious to see Him, but unwilling to believe Him? He is your Creator, your Lord, your Judge, and your Savior. What more do you need to see or hear? Listen to Jesus: “I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.” He who created light (Genesis 1:3–5), He who is the Light of the World (John 8:12), has spoken. Are you listening?

— Dr. Bill Barrick