Matthew 21:21-22
O: This was when Jesus was hungry and He couldn't find any figs on a nearby fig tree. Finding nothing but leaves, Jesus said aloud that the tree would never bear fruit again and immediately it withered and presumably, died. Naturally, the disciples were amazed and they asked Jesus how it even happened.
This particular passage makes me wonder why Jesus cursed the fig tree. Maybe it was to lead up to teaching on faith. When I really think about it though-the tree didn't have fruit and any tree that doesn't bear fruit...(wait this is a verse...checks biblegateway) It's from the scary passage in Matthew 7 upon trees that bear good or bad fruit. Every tree that doesn't bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown in the fire...
I guess it's not like extreme similarity, considering the tree had no fruit at all-but if Jesus came, and he saw no good fruit in me...or even fruit at all, I have a feeling that I'd be one of the burned trees.
Anyhow, moving on - Jesus said something perhaps even more amazing than cursing a fig tree to immediate withering. That any of us who have faith, without doubt, could just as easily curse a fig tree to wither as well as tell a mountain to be thrown into the sea. Fig trees, are huge trees-I don't know if I can walk up to a fig tree and tell it to wither, because those are some seriously mighty trees. The same goes for the mountains-but here we have a reference back to Jesus telling His disciples that genuine faith, even in the smallest quantities bring about large, powerful changes (Matthew 17:20). Weak people rely on an infinitely powerful God and the result is that mighty things are done. Herein lies the power of prayer-not that prayer itself has power. Many people of many religions have practiced the art of prayer. However, the question is whom we pray to and why.
This reminds me of the statement repeated by a brother in many prayer sessions as he led-"Did you know it is an act of pride to not pray? It's absurd to think that we can do anything on our own, so we must pray-because God is the one who moves mountains, not us. By not praying, we are basically saying that we can handle everything on our own." And rightly so he said. Those who wish to do anything in the kingdom must pray-for the Father may accomplish our finite tasks with a mere lift of His finger or a batting of His eye (not even, lol), but we can hardly feed or cloth ourselves without falling to pieces over how we can do it (and yet the Lord still provides even those necessities).
But prayer has little to do with the bare minimum-it does not scrape people by in their lives, and nor does it lavishly spoil us with riches and extravagance. In fact, prayer has nothing to do with our own preservation-Rather it is a means of expressing the desire for God to be glorified and asking God to glorify His Son. He works in our lives and the things we used to selfishly desire fade and we desire nothing more than what He desires-for what we want should always be what He wants. And so, "...in all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive." Prayer has power because the God we pray to has power-and He doesn't ask us to pray to get by in life or for our own benefit-but for mountains to be moved and for huge frackin' trees to be withered. Basically, God calls us to pray for big things to happen for His kingdom and in our lives.
A: I will strive to have a faith that does not doubt-and in doing so, my prayers will be that of moving mountains and cursing trees. I will not pray petty prayers, nor will I pray for my own desires (Unless they're God-given).
P: God, You are infinite. And I am so tiny in comparison to You. Your strength holds me and all others who have placed their faith in Your Son completely, without any hindrance. How awesome is our God. Lord, I come to You, still sluggish in my ways and lazy-Father, forgive me for being so prideful in the sense that I don't pray or make the effort to spend time with You. These LJs become almost mechanical and burdensome, but Father-teach me to know that I'm spending time with the LORD and not with a book or nothingness. I want that encounter with You everyday in my life. In my book, that is definitely a big prayer-because I don't know many people who say that they encounter the Lord of Lords on a daily basis, because then they'd be pretty dang excited and at peace. But beyond that, when I intercede for those in my life, I pray that You would prod my heart and remind me that You are infinite and the things I pray for are so finite-It is easy for You and that should be my basis of faith in You...to the point that I believe it is already answered and done, as long as I should be faithful and without doubt. Bring my unbelief to rest, God and teach me to glorify You in all ways. In Christ, amen.
Soli Deo Gloria
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