Before you begin your quiet time with God, listen to the following songs. Pray, sing, and think about the words and how they apply to you. Prepare your heart for what God will show you during your time with Him.
Walk by Faith – Jeremy Camp
Trust in You – Lauren Daigle
Give Me Faith – Elevation Worship
The day before Holy Monday, the Pharisees had ordered Jesus to silence the crowd’s praises. Five days later, Pilate would not be able to silence the crowd who would condemn the Son of God to be crucified. Jesus would use this Monday to demonstrate genuine faith in God and affirm His Messianic Authority.
The nation of Israel had failed to show their faith in Jesus. They would profess Him as King by waving palm leaves and yelling “Hosanna” as He entered the city, yet they would be fruitless in practicing their faith. Within a few days of Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, they would deny Him and demand His crucifixion.
After his arrival in Jerusalem, Jesus spent Sunday night in Bethany, the village at the foot of Mount Olives. As Jesus returned Monday to Jerusalem, He noticed a fig tree that had produced leaves ahead of the season. Jesus knew that fig trees bear fruit twice a year, in June and then again in September. This was early spring, so there should have at least been unripened fruit for Jesus to eat. Since the fig tree bore leaves, He expected to find fruit, but the tree was fruitless. Jesus cursed the tree for not having fruit and immediately the tree withered up. This amazed the disciples and of course they began to question how this happened so quickly. Jesus used this to teach on genuine faith in God. The faith of His followers would be greatly tested in the following days.
It was nearing time for the Jewish Passover celebration, so Jesus then went to the Temple in Jerusalem. When he arrived he was upset to see that merchants were selling cattle, sheep, and doves for sacrifices. He chased them all out of the temple, telling them to “Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!”. The Disciples remembered the prophecy from the scriptures “Passion for God’s house will consume me.” It broke Jesus’ heart what they had done in His Father’s temple.
Scripture Readings:
Matthew 21:12-22
Mark 11:12-25
Luke 19:45-48
As we continue to study what Passion Week looked like for Jesus, take time out of your day to think about the significance of each day. Look at your faith. Would Jesus find fruit, or would you have leaves without fruit? Write down what God is saying to you during your quiet time. Talk with your Sunday School group about what God has shown you during your time with Him.