A New Season

Mark 11: 12 - 14a 12) The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. 14 Then he said to the tree, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again." And his disciples heard him say it.

In the physical world, seasons are marked by well defined parameters.  A sports team knows how many games need to be played.  The playoffs and championship games are played on certain dates.  Every year on a cycle,  the weather alerts us as to when seasons are changing.  While not as definitive as a sports season, blasts of hot or cold air, or falling or budding leaves, communicates an approaching season.

When Jesus arrived on the scene, a new dynamic was unfolding.  His ministry was replete with signs of impending change.  A new season was dawning, but this season would not be forecast on a calender.  From angels heralding his birth to shepherds on a hillside, to lepers being healed (only God could do that!), Jesus was announcing the advent of a new kingdom, a new way of life. It was a new day was dawning; a new season bursting forth. Like a warm day at the beginning of March, the ministry of Jesus was a harbinger of things to come.

As Jesus enters Jerusalem with the cross looming in his near future, his words and actions continue to echo the coming of a new season.  In Mark 11:12 - 14, Jesus approaches a fig tree 'in leaf', to find fruit. We are told the tree has no fruit because it was not the season for it (v. 13).  Jesus 'curses' the fig tree to the bewilderment of his disciples.  Mark uses a literary technique called intercalation, whereby one narrative, the cleansing of the Temple, is bracketed by the beginning and ending of another narrative, the cursing of the fig tree.  This is done for the purpose of commentary.  So the idea is to see the narrative of the fig tree as being linked to cleansing of the Temple.

What is that all about?  Jesus is giving us a vivid picture of a new season.  I find it strange that the tree is punished for not bearing fruit out of season.  I do not believe Jesus is surprised by the discovery.  In fact, it could be argued the tree is producing its best.  What can it do out of season?  Nothing.  If we are to view this narrative as a commentary on the Temple cleansing, one might argue that this is far greater than some moneychangers, doves, and cattle.  Yes, there may have been issues with those things, but it was the whole system that Jesus was commenting on through his actions.

I submit to you, the Temple system was producing its best: nothing worthwhile.  What was it producing? Oppression, power, and greed, among other things. A new season was dawning through Jesus.  Jesus will ultimately fulfill what the religious system of the Temple could not. When we are spiritually hungry, we must seek that which will give us what we need.  Why doesn't our religiosity fill us?  Why doesn't it produce lasting fruit?  It can't.  It does the best it can.  And we see the results of that.  But, Jesus?  Well, he can produce the fruit in our lives, if we let him. The old system was withering and dying.  Jesus parading through the Temple making a mess and causing a scene is a message for everyone to hear. It is a new season. 

Father, You alone know what we need.  We have given our best, and it has produced self-centered living.  May we embrace You!  For only You can produce fruit in me.  Only You can satisfy the longings of our hearts.    Amen. 

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Cheer Up!

48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" 49 Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." So they called to the blind man, "Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you." 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. 



Bartimaeus was a blind man who was running short on hope. As I read his story in Mark 10, it is very easy to associate him with many people today.  You know who they are.  They are the marginalized, the outcast, and the poor / needy.  How did it come to this?  Blind and begging with no shot at rising off of the mat.  Where does any dream slowly fade away into hopelessness?  Everyone has a story.  Bartimaeus did.

There are crucial intersections in all of our stories.  They are not just any random intersectons, but Divine encounters. How we navigate those intersections determines how our stories play out.  Here is good news: as long as we have breath, the potential for participating in a story of redemption is never out of reach. The real tragedy comes when life is cut short before one can realize the full potential that life can be.  

Bartimaeus found himself at one of those Divine intersections.  Bartimaeus decided to take a shot on Jesus of Nazareth, who was passing by.  Upon realizing who he was (Luke 18:37), Bartimaeus pleads for mercy.  Through Jesus, Bartimaeus' story takes a radical turn.  In a jacked up, sin wrecked world, we have to believe that Jesus still is a dispenser of mercy.  We need to also believe that no one is beyond the reach of this Jesus who is 'full of compassion and mercy' (James 5:11). If we are the ones on the mat, may our faith be increased to the point where we can reach out to the One who gives mercy.  But, if we are the ones in the crowd, we have a message to ring out. 'Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you' (Mark 10:49). 

Divine intersections bring choices.  If we avoid or ignore them, our stories work out a less than desirable ending.  Also, if we fail to herald the Good News to others, we fail not only ourselves, but others as well.  'He is calling you.'  In the midst of pain, brokenness, and hurt.  In sadness, grief, doubt, and discouragement.  In the mess, the mundane, and weakness.  In the midst of it all, the call rings out: 'Cheer up! On your feet!  He is calling you.'  May we have the courage to step into his mercy and redemption.  May we have the compassion to bring others along.

Lord, give us eyes to see you.  Give us the courage to ask, 'What is going on?'  Give us faith to believe that you alone can dispense the mercy we so desperately need.  But also give us eyes to see those around us that need hope.  The greatest thing we can do is to point them in your direction.  And may they find you in us as you move in us and through us, calling to you world. Amen.

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