Scripture
11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.
Observation
So I have temporarily left the reading plan I was following (http://www.zondervan.com/Cultures/en-US/Product/Bible/Plans.htm?QueryStringSite=Zondervan#Advanced) in favour of Bible notes linked to what we’re studying in our church housegroups for the next six weeks, a series by Jeff Lucas called Singing in the Rain (http://www.cwr.org.uk/store/p-103-life-journeys-singing-in-the-rain-dvd.aspx). The notes deal with a chapter from Mark’s gospel that we have already looked at as a group, and then break it down more for some in-depth study. This section (chapter 11:1-11) shows Jesus in total control of himself and what was going on around him, and the notes demonstrate his peaceful entry into Jerusalem. What I noticed though is this verse at the end – he went into the temple courts in the evening and took note of what was going on there (the money-lending and general fleecing of people that got him so upset the next morning), but went away as it was too late. We talked in our housegroup about the incident with the fig tree that comes straight after this (which, reading on in the chapter, becomes a message about faith to the disciples) – is it possible that the righteous anger Jesus later displays is already being felt, from the evening before, and that the fig tree bore the brunt of it in the curse Jesus speaks over it? I am not suggesting that Jesus was not in control of his own feelings or actions – in fact, if this was the case, I would suggest that this shows Jesus to be supremely in control. We don’t hear of him snapping at any of the disciples as a result of what he saw in the temple but had no chance to do anything about, which is surely how it would have come out if it was me.
Application
The supremely self-controlled and peaceful example of Jesus is obviously a great one to follow, and here I’d just like to give a testimony of the Holy Spirit’s gift of peace in my life recently. I am a teacher of teenagers, and I have one class this year that cause me no end of problems. On a few occasions I have simply asked God’s peace to be in my classroom, and for him to help me react well to whatever situation comes up in the lessons. And since I have started doing that on a more regular basis, the lessons have totally changed (it could be helped by the fact that one pupil seems to be excluded every time I teach them, but hey). There is so much less stress around, and I have found ways to deal with the times when they are less than perfect students.
Prayer
Praise you Lord, for your peace. Send it more. Amen.
