Mark 11:12 refers to the day following Palm Sunday while 11:20 refers to what we would call Tuesday. At 14:1, the Feast of Unleavened Bread is two days away, so it’s still Tuesday. The next time reference is 14:12 with the first day of the Feast which is Thursday (Maundy Thursday). So what happened on Wednesday?
Strictly speaking, the answer is that nobody knows. But given that Jesus had a habit of seeking solitude whenever life and ministry was stressful, it has been suggested that Jesus took Wednesday as a day out, a day away from the crowds, perhaps what we might call ‘me time’? I find the suggestion highly plausible.
If so, was it a wasted day? Surely, with time running out, there was so much more he could have taught, or miracles to perform to the glory of God? I believe that Jesus needed to spend time with his heavenly Father. And that is never a waste of time!
I for one know the temptation when life and ministry is busy to cut short my devotional time (= Confessions of a Minister). The title of a book by Bill Hybels springs to mind: Too Busy Not To Pray. I’m also aware that in these days of Lockdown life for some is even busier and more challenging than it was before, especially if there are children at home and they have to work from home and grandparents can’t help … you get the picture. Others however, have more time on their hands because they’ve been furloughed. Perhaps the latter could spend a bit of extra time in prayer, praying especially for those who now find themselves struggling to find the time? That will go some way towards carrying “each other’s burdens” and so fulfil “the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). If that’s you, why not message someone and tell them you are making time to pray for them? That doesn’t mean, however, that if you are in the busy, busy category that you can forget about Bible reading and prayer. Just as Jesus seems to have made time for prayer in the most hectic and stressful of weeks, why not schedule some ‘me and God’ time, even if it means you have to lock yourself in the bathroom for a few minutes!
Does anyone have any practical suggestions to share from their own experience?
Alan Bailyes 