Holy Week: Making way for wholeness

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In Mark 11:15-18, we read how Jesus stepped into the temple and cleared away anything that would distort and corrupt pure worship.

In these verses, Jesus boldly acted with holy anger for the purpose of restoration. His mission was to sweep aside the things that stood in the way of the temple being a house of prayer. In Matthew’s account, we read that this scene was followed by a picture of Kingdom wholeness, as the blind and the weak came to Jesus, and were healed. (Matthew 21:14)

Jesus not only forgives, but he restores. He not only saves, but he makes whole. Through his confrontation, barriers were broken down and the wounded drew near.

Matthew 21:18-19 reads: ‘Early in the morning, as he was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.’

The fig tree is a parallel for what Jesus had experienced in the temple: beautiful from a distance, but – on closer inspection – fruitless. To a hungry person, this is not only disappointing: it’s useless.

The fig tree serves as a stark reminder of life without Jesus. Separated from him, we have no hope: only Jesus can restore, heal and save. But, if we commit to following his way, he will plant in us a faith that grows beyond our wildest imagination.

Hope for our whole lives

Following Jesus means inviting him to confront what is false in us, so that true life can grow. What are the things that you are clinging onto – even if, in your heart, you know there is no fruit to be found there?

Bring these things before Jesus today. He can sweep away the mess that gets in the way of what really matters, cleansing our hearts and making a way to wholeness.

Let us pray

Lord, may our worship – in prayer or service, in music or mercy – flow from a life that is rooted in you. By your love, let us be made whole. By your presence, let us be made holy. And, by your power, let us be fruitful.