Mark 11:20-25
"20 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.
21 And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto Him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.
22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses."
In today's verses we read about the disciples discover the fig tree Jesus cursed has withered from the roots. Jesus uses the moment to teach about the power of faith and the necessity of forgiveness.
The Context of Judgment
The withered fig tree symbolizes God’s judgment on the outwardly fruitful but spiritually barren Jewish religious system, especially the Temple. Occurring right after Jesus cleansed the Temple, it points to the end of the old covenant and the failure of its leaders to produce genuine fruit.
The Call to Unwavering Faith
Jesus instructs His disciples to have faith in God. With unwavering belief, they can command “mountains” (obstacles or corrupt systems) to be removed and cast into the sea. Effective prayer means believing you have already received what you ask for, trusting God’s power and goodness rather than relying on rituals.
The Requirement of Forgiveness
Jesus adds a vital condition: when you pray, forgive anyone you hold anything against. This ensures the Father in heaven will forgive your own trespasses. A heart free of bitterness is essential for a genuine relationship with God.
Reflection
Do you have a “mountain” in your life that needs faith to move?
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