Monday— What Does He Want?
Jesus knows the week before him will end in his crucifixion and doubles his passion and urgency. This man is going to die, and he has less than a week to finish his business. The emotional power and strain of the accounts can only be obscured by our unbelief. This morning he wakes with confrontation in his heart and begins two of the most strident days of his ministry.
Read Mark 11:11- 19
Choruses of “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” are echoing in the hills when Jesus curses a fruitless tree and cleanses a profaned Temple. The crowds hoped Rome would reel from the blows of his iron scepter, now they learn that he was not what they expected. Was the acclamation of the people not enough?
Read Psalm 69:7-13. A war of zeal has begun. As Christ labors for the purity of the Temple his enemies strive for his destruction.
Today’s Prayer:
Oh, Christ whose passion cleansed the Church, unleash your zeal in the temple of my heart. Crash its petty markets and overturn every pretense of empty adoration. Your zeal is my salvation. Your passion is my glory. Your holy anger is sweeter to me than the comfort of a thousand false prophets. By your grace Lord, in your zeal Savior, make my heart your home and cleanse its courts to prepare them for my God. Amen.
Prompts for More Prayer
Pray for insight into the confusion or inner conflicts that keep you from bearing fruit and ask God to help you overcome them.
Pray that the Spirit of God would work through your faith to bear the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and truth.
Pray for the honor and courage of sharing your faith with a specific co-worker or neighbor.
Pray for your church’s ministries of discipleship and mercy. Ask God to bless the work of the church for the good of others.
