The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 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. Then he said to the tree, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again." And his disciples heard him say it. On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, "Is it not written: 'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations'? But you have made it 'a den of robbers.'" The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching. When evening came, they went out of the city. In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!" "Have faith in God," Jesus answered. "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." -Mark 11:12-25*
I can remember playing solitaire in the office of the music minister as a young boy. My father, a Methodist minister of music, often let me play games on his computer to pass the time until choir rehearsal let out. Then he would take me home. For my entire life the church has been a place of worship and employment. As the only child of four to follow in my father's footsteps, I have great pride in my father's life's work and in his example of service to God. But the truth is, it wasn't until Jr. High that I began to understand church as a haven for prayer, a place for teaching and learning, and for corporate worship.
For most of us I imagine it's too easy for us to focus on the "business" of church. We've got to serve on this or that committee, get the set-up done for our ministry's potluck, learn the notes at choir rehearsal, or get the homework done so we can participate in small group. Perhaps we find ourselves relieved to be unloading the kids on the children's or youth ministry. Or maybe we hope to sing our favorite song during worship, or to be recipients of useful advice from a friend.
Do we ever stop to engage in authentic worship, prayer, or study? What are our expectations, or perhaps more importantly, what are our intentions when we enter the house of God? May we be ever more focused on God's purpose for His church - to offer worship and prayer to a high and holy God, to teach one another as we are shaped more into the image of Christ, and to participate in a move of His Spirit to touch the hearts of every nation with God's love.
Dane Daniels is on the church staff, coordinating worship services at First Church and overseeing the direction of music ensembles and worship production teams. He creates much of the graphic and video content for worship, our website, and print communications. He also supports youth group and CCA senior high worship teams.
How has Jesus made a difference in your life? "When my brother was still a baby he had breathing problems and always had pneumonia and God helped me get through those hard times." -Merrick Smith, 6th grade
*Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
