Kenyon Smith is an Aquamaid, a member of an all-girls synchronized swimming team.  He's really good at this demanding sport.  But according to today's Wall Street Journal, Mr. Smith will never get a college scholarship or an Olympic bid, because he's a he.  No men are allowed in his sport.  It's tough to be excluded from something you really want.

On Monday of Holy Week, we learn that God wants each of us on his team.  The day began with Jesus' cleansing of the Temple for the second time (Matthew 21:10-17).  He had driven moneychangers from the area when he began his public ministry (John 2:12-22), but now he was forced to do it again.

Since sacrificial animals had to meet stringent requirements (cf. Exodus 12:5), most people coming to Passover had to buy their sacrifices.  The Temple used its own currency, so exchange booths were required.  But the businessman who ran these enterprises often charged exorbitant rates for their animals and money.  So Jesus drove them from his Father's house, disrupting their lucrative trade during Passover (something like upsetting the offering on Easter Sunday).

He then encountered a fruitless fig tree (Mark 11:12-14).  Figs did not produce ripe fruit until June, but Passover was in April.  Jesus was not angry that the tree had no fruit; rather, he saw it as a symbol for the fruitless nation of Israel (Jeremiah 8:13).  His nation had come to focus more on their religion and rituals than their Creator and Lord.  And so he cursed the fruitless tree: ""May no one ever eat fruit from you again" (Mark 11:14).

Later in the day, some Gentiles who had come for Passover searched out Philip (a disciple with a Greek name, from the Gentile village of Bethsaida in Galilee).  The Jewish people despised Gentiles, but such rejection did not deter these inquirers.  Their request was both simple and profound: "Sir, we would like to see Jesus" (John 12:21).  My pastor had these words inscribed on his pulpit so he could see them every Sunday; I have done the same in every church I have pastored.

Do you want to see Jesus today?  You'll not find him in the consumer Christianity which promises personal and financial success.  You'll not find him in the cultural Christianity which defines faith as church attendance and religious observance.  You'll find Jesus when you ask to see him, no matter your past failures or present problems.  The Savior who came to Jerusalem on Monday will come to your town and heart today.  All he needs is an invitation from you.  Is there a better way to begin Holy Week?

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