A Withering Look
Opening Prayer
Merciful Father, forgive any sin of mine that might come between us now so I can have fellowship with You.
Read Mark 11:20-26
[20] In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. [21] Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!” [22] “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. [23] “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. [24] Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. [25] And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” [26] Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION
Reflect
What does Jesus teach us here about our praying?Yesterday we looked at the “filling” of the sandwich, Jesus cleansing the Temple. Today we’re back to the “bread,” the fig tree. Did Jesus really take revenge on it just because he was hungry (12)? That seems extreme and out of character; figs weren’t even in season (13,14)! But as the fig tree was commonly used as an image of Israel (e.g. Hos. 9:10; Mic. 7:1-6; Jer. 8:13; 29:17), things begin to look different. This was an acted parable. Like the incident in the Temple in yesterday’s reading, it was a prophetic action, a warning about the future. The next day, Peter saw the dead tree and remembered what Jesus had said (21). It wouldn’t be the last time Peter remembered some words of Jesus (14:72)! But Jesus also uses this incident as an opportunity to teach about faith (22) and prayer (24). What he had said about the fig tree (14) was an expression of faith. That faith has now been vindicated, and in that is a warning about the powerfulness of prayer. Faith and prayer are not to be toyed with; we may receive what we ask for! At the very least, prayer prompts us to both forgive and be forgiven (25,26).
Apply
What have you learned about prayer from Jesus here? Begin to apply it as you pray to him now.
Closing prayer
Lord, teach me more about prayer and the power of prayer. I want to use it for Your good purposes.
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