March 22, 2005

Holy Tuesday Meditation

Mark 11:12-19

Introduction

When was the last time you were disappointed? Has anyone here ever been disappointed in a product they purchased? Have you ever been disappointed in a meal you ordered in a restaurant? Has anyone here ever been disappointed in a person in your life? Has anyone here ever been disappointed in a neighbor or a fellow worker? Has anyone here this evening ever been disappointed in a friend? Have you ever been disappointed in your minister? Have you ever been disappointed in an in-law or a cousin? Have you ever been disappointed in your children or your parents? Have you ever been disappointed in your spouse? Have you ever been disappointed in yourself? There is a surplus of self-disappointment in our world today. Ours is not the only generation.

Self-disappointment is part of world history. Let me give you a few examples. Alexander the Great conquered Persia but he wept when his men were too exhausted to push on to India. Near the end of his life, the sixth president of the United States John Quincy Adams wrote, “My life has been spent in vain and ideal aspirations and in senseless rejected prayers.” The father of international law Hugo Grotius said, “I have accomplished nothing in my life.” Writer Robert Louis Stevenson had these words written on his epitaph: Here lies one who meant well, who tried a little, and failed much. Do I have to go on? Self-disappointment is part of life. When was the last time you were disappointed in yourself. That can be a scary question.

Perhaps an even a scarier question is when was the last time God was disappointed in you? It is that question that is at the heart of this evening’s scripture lesson.

It is Tuesday of Holy Week. Jesus has been busy and public. He has already entered the Great City on the humble animal. He has already cleansed the Temple. The masses saw him do these things. However it was the few that saw him do the most curious thing of Holy Week. Only the disciples saw him curse the fig tree.

This little story is absurd. This little story seems out of character for Jesus. This story seems to lack common sense. In last night’s reading we heard that Jesus grew hungry so he walks up to fig tree for something to eat. The leaves of the plant are in full bloom but it is about six weeks before the figs themselves would come. Jesus’ unnatural reaction is to curse the fig tree. In this evening’s scripture reading only twenty-four hours have past yet the fig tree is completely dead. It is Peter who makes this curious discovery. So how do you apply this story to your life? How can the story of the cursed fig tree make you a better disciple? The key to understanding this passage is not understanding Jesus’ words and actions. The key to understanding this passage is Jesus’ intent.

The well-read Scottish Bible scholar William Barclay says the story of the cursed fig tree is nothing more than an enacted parable. The key to understanding the parable is knowing that the fig tree stands for Israel. Throughout the pages of your Old Testament there are verses comparing Israel to a fig tree full of fruit. But this time there is no fruit but they failed to live up to God’s expectation. The enacted parable of the fig tree reminds us that Jesus is not just the Lord of life. Jesus is also the Lord of judgment. When was the last time God was disappointed in you?

This evening let us look at two distinct condemnations. Both will force you to look at yourself. The season of Lent is drawing to an end. This is a good night for some self-examination and repentance. Someday Jesus will be your final judge. Is there something in your life that needs to be changed before that day comes?

Condemnation Number One: Promise without Fulfillment The leaves on the tree were a promise of fruit but there was no fruit. Throughout the history of Israel they prepared themselves for the Messiah. Their history was filled with statements about accepting and receiving the Chosen One. The moment finally came and the promises they made were tragically unfulfilled.  Is there anyone here this evening whose promise of life is unfulfilled?

Charles Lamb tells the story of a man by the name of Samuel le Grice. He says you can divide his life into three stages. When he was young, people said, “He will do something!” When he grew older and did nothing, people said, “He could do something if he tried.” When he was old, people said, “He should have done something. Samuel le Grice’s life is a story of promise without fulfillment. What is your story?

Researchers once surveyed one hundred people over the age of one hundred and asked them what they would do differently. A common answer could be found in those one hundred one-hundred year-olds. They said they wish they had taken more risks in their lives. I believe fear is one of the greatest weapons that Satan uses in the world today. I know that is true because I have seen it in my own life.

I would love to go back to school and study for a Doctorate of Ministry. I don’t because I am afraid. I am afraid I couldn’t cut it academically. I am afraid of the financial hardship it would place on my family. I am afraid I would fail and would have to confess my failure to you. It is fear that paralyzes me from doing something that God may be calling me to do. The dreams in your hearts are not just dreams, they may be God’s intentions for your life. God wants me to be more than I am today. God wants you to be more than you are today.

What are your dreams this evening? Is there anyone here this evening that dreams of going back to school? Is there anyone here this evening that dreams of starting your own business? Is there anyone here this evening that dreams of fixing a broken relationship or starting a new relationship? Is there anyone here this evening that dreams of volunteering to help someone in need? Is there anyone who dreams of being part of a mission trip? What is your dream? Don’t tell me you are too young or old? Don’t tell me you are too dumb? Don’t tell me the timing is not right or you are afraid? Those dreams just aren’t your dreams. They are God’s dreams for you! Don’t forget condemnation number one is promise without fulfillment. If you can remember condemnation number one say, “Amen!” Some day Jesus is going to be your judge.

Condemnation Number Two: Profession without Practice The leaves on the fig tree told the world it had fruit but it had no fruit. The whole cry of the New Testament is that a person can only be known by the fruit in their life. Matthew 7:16 says, “You will know them by their fruits.” Luke 3:8 says, “Bear fruit that will befit repentance.” Your faith should make you better and more useful to society. Your faith should make your home happier. Your faith should make you a better employee or employer. Your faith should make you easier to be with. Those are the fruits of your life! How can you be a disciple of Jesus and not be like Jesus?

Last Saturday I was asked to teach a class for the Youngstown District Lay Speaker Training. I can honestly say everyone had fun. I hope they learned something anyway. There were many churches represented in the district that day. I learned a great deal about many churches in this district. I asked them a series of questions and they responded. One of the questions I asked was to tell me about times in your church when you lost members? There were too many ugly stories to tell them all. I heard about a lay person who controled their church with intimidation and fear. I heard about lay people who hid the chalice so their pastor couldn’t serve communion. I heard of lay people who refused to step into the church until that pastor leaves. I heard about lay people who withheld their funds until they got their way. I heard about pastors who did not visit the sick. I heard about pastors who yelled at their parishioners. I heard about who could not keep their hands off the money or the church secretary. I had fun with those stories but they made me sick. No wonder so many of our churches are struggling. How can you say I believe in Jesus yet live a life that is so unlike Jesus?

If someone asked someone else about you what would they say? Is everything that you do reflective of Jesus? Is everything you say reflective of Jesus? Are all the opinions you hold reflective of Jesus? Don’t forget condemnation number two is profession without practice. If you are going to remember condemnation number two then say, “Amen!” Someday Jesus is going to be your judge. Let me end with a short story and a simple question.

Conclusion

Early in Dr. Lenore Campbell’s medical career she had a woman coming out of anesthesia. Church bells were playing in the distance. They were the first thing the patient heard. The woman said, “I must be in heaven! No! There is Doctor Campbell.”

When you get to heaven what will Jesus say about you? When was the last time you disappointed God?