“HAVE FAITH IN GOD!”

 Mark 11:20-25                    (ESV)

The Lesson from the Withered Fig Tree

“[20] As they passed by IN THE MORNING, they saw the fig tree “withered away” to its roots. [21] And Peter remembered and said to HIM, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” [22] And JESUS ANSWERED, “HAVE FAITH IN GOD.” [23] Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and DOES NOT DOUBT IN HIS HEART, but believes that what he says will come to pass, IT WILL BE DONE FOR HIM. [24] Therefore I tell you, whatever you ASK IN PRAYER, BELIEVE THAT YOU HAVE RECEIVED IT, and IT WILL BE YOURS. [25] And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your FATHER also WHO is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.””

It must have been difficult for The Disciples of JESUS to acknowledge that they were BLESSED to be walking, talking, and fellowshipping with GOD INCARNATE???  But once again, Peter is shown to be “the Apostle” with FAITH that “might not be” the strongest in the group…..AT THE TIME!!!  

For JESUS to PRONOUNCE JUDGEMENT on a fig tree because it was bearing NO FIGS shouldn’t be alarming, for “it was not the season for figs” (Mark 11:13).  But the next morning when they passed by the tree again Peter was ASTOUNDED as the tree was “withered away”!? When this was brought to the attention of THE CREATOR, JESUS said “HAVE FAITH IN GOD”!!!

There are many other lessons for this humble servant to glean from these six verses of Scripture, but the one that is being taught to me RIGHT NOW is when GOD says something, IT WILL HAPPEN!!  GOD IN THE FLESH told the fig tree late in the day to be accursed, and THE NEXT MORNING it was WITHERED AWAY!!  There was NO DOUBT that JESUS was THE CREATOR, for the fig tree had leaves on it the previous day (Mark 11:13).  Now it was WITHERED in less than twenty four hours!!!

GOD doesn’t forget and HE doesn’t waiver!  HIS PROMISES ARE TRUE and HE DOES NOT have to be reminded!  Our FAITH is the thing that needs to be increased.  Peter was CHOSEN (Mark 1:16-17) as one of the first people to serve as a Disciple.  He was ALSO the CHOSEN ONE to deny JESUS on HIS was to Golgotha!  

“HAVE FAITH IN GOD” when HIS PLAN is still waiting to be FULFILLED!!