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Holy Monday
Holy Monday is disruptive. Jesus curses the fig tree and cleanses the Temple. Both acts confront the same issue: outward appearance without inward reality. The fig tree had leaves but no fruit. The Temple is busy but hollow. In both cases, Jesus exposes a faith that looks alive but produces nothing life-giving.
Craig Keener notes, “The issue is not lack of activity, but lack of faithfulness.” God is not impressed by motion alone. He desires fruit: justice, mercy, prayer, and repentance. The Temple cleansing is not a loss of control; it’s an act of prophetic love. Jesus is fiercely protective of worship that draws people toward God and will oppose anything that seeks to exploit them.
Holy Monday can sometimes press uncomfortably close to home. We can have Christian language, routines and habits, and even success, while our hearts remain untouched and our deepest desires unmet. Jesus refuses to let emptiness and stagnation remain and doesn’t want you just to function but also be filled with life, faith, and hope in Him.
This day reminds us that grace does not excuse fruitlessness; it empowers fruitfulness.
Reflection:
- Are there areas of your spiritual life where you think you are functioning, but not fruitful?
- Bring these before the Lord and ask for his help to identify the root causes.
- Where do you feel empty, and how can God fill them?
Scripture
About this Plan
Welcome to Holy Week. For centuries, the Church has used this week to dedicate the fullness of its attention to Christ’s passion, resurrection, and the events leading up to it. Over the next 8 days, we will explore the gospel accounts of Holy Week and how it still impacts our everyday lives, even nearly two thousand years later.
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We would like to thank Elevation Church Australia for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: https://elevationchurch.com.au/
