The Final Week of Jesus' Life: An 8-Day Holy Week Devotional SeriesНамуна

Day Three: Tuesday: Questioning Jesus’ Authority—The Offense of Unbelief

In the passages for today we see two events: the withered fig tree, and the authority of Jesus being questioned by the chief priests and scribes. Peter pointed out the dead fig tree Jesus had cursed the previous day (Mark 11:12–14). This might seem like a strange story until we understand what Jesus was communicating to his disciples. Jesus responded to Peter’s observation with a short explanation of true faith. Most scholars believe Jesus was using the fig tree as a metaphor for the nation of Israel. It looked good from a distance, but upon closer inspection, it was fruitless and had no purpose for existing. The rejection of Jesus’ people and the coming destruction of Jerusalem were obviously weighing heavily on His heart. The illustration of a large mountain being cast into the sea demonstrated His point—simple, genuine faith in God can accomplish the impossible. Interesting that included in this short teaching on faith, Jesus includes a reminder (Mark 11: 25), that His followers must forgive others if we want God’s forgiveness. Clearly this is a condition for the prayer of faith.

At this time, the religious leaders were already plotting Jesus’ death. They questioned him about the nature and source of his authority (referring to his teaching and cleansing of the Temple). Mark notes several disputes brewing between Jesus and the Pharisees in his account, this being one of them. Jesus refuses to answer the leaders’ questions and instead brings up John the Baptist, thus exposing the true motive of their question. Their goal was to entrap Jesus, finding a way—any way—to condemn Him by Jewish law.

In these passages Jesus confronts unbelief. He knew people were not naturally bent toward believing God, and He mentioned this truth frequently. God had come to his people, and they not only refused to believe in him, but they vilified him! The irony.

Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury in the 11th century, believed that simple faith was the foundation for any spiritual understanding. He said, “I do not seek to understand that I may believe, but I believe that I may understand. For this also I believe, that unless I believe, I will not understand.”

Prayer for Today: Lord, I echo the prayer of the desperate father, “Lord, I believe, help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). What an honest prayer, and it reminds me that I, too, have such little faith. I pray that you, by the power of your Spirit, would increase my faith, and fill me with a simple trust in you. Help me not to look so much for answers to my questions, but to simply believe in you-—that you are the one and only Christ, the Lord. Amen.

Photo Collection of Susie Hawkins, Jerusalem Wall Scene, 2018