Tuesday, April 4
WHAT HAPPENED ON THE TUESDAY BEFORE EASTER?
The next day, Peter noticed the fully withered fig tree. Jesus had cursed, to which Jesus admonished a lesson to have faith and recognize the power of forgiveness:
“Have faith in God, Jesus answered. Truly, I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, go, throw yourself into the sea, and does not know doubt in their heart , but believes that what they say will happen it will be done for them. 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 them, so that your father in heaven may forgive you your sins. “ Mark 11:22–26.
Holy Tuesday was a day of avoiding traps and teaching. The priest set four traps for Jesus, the first questioning his authority, to which he answered with a question, and then taught three parables: the parable of the two sons, the parable of the tenants, And the parable of the wedding banquet. The second trap challenged Jesus' allegiance, the third trap attempted to ridicule Jesus, belief in resurrection, and the fourth Jesus answered by claiming God’s greatest command to be love.
This is the real, historical Jesus: fully in control as he responds with grace and truth to traps on all sides. He knows what he is doing. And he knows what is coming.
He is stopping at the Mount of Olives to rest on the way back to Bethany to spend the night, Jesus spoke to his disciples about the upcoming trials for his followers.
Pray that God would make you strong in the face of your trials.
Pray that he will deliver you from the traps that are set for you.
Pray that you will not fall into the greatest trap of unforgiveness.