When they were
nearing Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany on Mount Olives, he sent
off two of the disciples with instructions: "Go
to the village across from you. As soon as you enter, you'll find a
colt tethered, one that has never yet been ridden. Untie it and bring
it. If anyone asks, 'What are you doing?' say, 'The Master needs him,
and will return him right away.'"
They went and found a
colt tied to a door at the street corner and untied it. Some of those
standing there said, "What are you doing untying that colt?"
The disciples replied exactly as Jesus had instructed them, and the
people let them alone. They brought the colt to Jesus, spread their
coats on it, and he mounted.
The people gave him a
wonderful welcome, some throwing their coats on the street, others
spreading out rushes they had cut in the fields. Running ahead and
following after, they were calling out,
Hosanna!
Blessed is he who comes in God's name!
Blessed the coming kingdom of our father David!
Hosanna in highest heaven!
He entered Jerusalem,
then entered the Temple. He looked around, taking it all in. But by
now it was late, so he went back to Bethany with the Twelve.
The Cursed Fig Tree
As they left Bethany
the next day, he was hungry. Off in the distance he saw a fig tree in
full leaf. He came up to it expecting to find something for breakfast,
but found nothing but fig leaves. (It wasn't yet the season for figs.)
He addressed the tree: "No one is going to
eat fruit from you again—ever!" And his disciples
overheard him.
They arrived at
Jerusalem. Immediately on entering the Temple Jesus started throwing
out everyone who had set up shop there, buying and selling. He kicked
over the tables of the bankers and the stalls of the pigeon merchants.
He didn't let anyone even carry a basket through the Temple. And then
he taught them, quoting this text:
My house was designated a
house of prayer for the nations;
You've turned it into a hangout for thieves.
The high priests and
religion scholars heard what was going on and plotted how they might
get rid of him. They panicked, for the entire crowd was carried away
by his teaching.
At evening, Jesus and
his disciples left the city.
In the morning,
walking along the road, they saw the fig tree, shriveled to a dry
stick. Peter, remembering what had happened the previous day, said to
him, "Rabbi, look—the fig tree you cursed is shriveled
up!"
Jesus was
matter-of-fact: "Embrace this God-life.
Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you. This
mountain, for instance: Just say, 'Go jump in the lake'—no shuffling
or shilly-shallying—and it's as good as done. That's why I urge you
to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large.
Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you'll get God's
everything. And when you assume the posture of prayer, remember that
it's not all asking. If you have anything against someone,
forgive—only then will your heavenly Father be inclined to also wipe
your slate clean of sins."
