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A More Dramatic Version

Text: Matthew 21 : 17 - 22

The Gospel of Mark added drama to the cursing of the fig tree. Let us look at the same incident written from Mark’s perspective.

“Now the next day, when they had come out of Bethany,
He was hungry. And seeing from afar a fig tree bearing leaves,
He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it.
When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves,
for it was not the season for figs. In response Jesus said to it,
‘Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.’
And His disciples heard it.

When evening had come, He went out of the city.
Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree
dried up from the roots. And Peter, remembering, said to Him,
‘Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.'”
MARK 11:12-14, 19-21

There is no contradiction at all. Whereas Mark made use of dramatic effect, Matthew sought only to point out the significance of this event. Jesus wanted His disciples to learn vital lessons from this incident.

VITAL LESSONS FOR THE DISCIPLES TO LEARN

What were some of the lessons the disciples needed to learn? They were absolutely astonished at what happened. They did not fully comprehend the meaning of why Jesus cursed the fig tree. They didn’t even understand how the fig tree could have withered so quickly, all because Jesus spoke a word against it.

“And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying,
‘How did the fig tree wither away so soon?’
So Jesus answered and said to them,
‘Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt,
you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also
if you say to the mountain, “Be removed and be cast into the sea,”
it will be done.
And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing,
you will receive.'”
MATTHEW 21:20-22

1. “If you have faith…”

What a vital lesson of faith this turned out to be! What was this “faith” that the disciples had within their grasp? Obviously, they had not fully fathomed the “power” that lay within reach of that faith. Of course, great care must be taken, or else the problem of abuse would be very real indeed. (Mercifully, God would never answer prayers that are not within His will).

a) Faith and discernment

We must assume that Jesus had divine discernment when He cursed the fig tree. He had God’s wisdom to discern if He could judge the tree!

b) Faith and prayer

We must also assume that Jesus communed with His Father (even though it is not stated) and thus had permission to do what He did. The consistent and close relationship Jesus sustained with His Father allows us to make this assumption.

c) Faith and authority

There was tremendous authority in Jesus. The disciples had not yet comprehended the authority that had been given to them. And authority had been given to them! Whatever they bind on earth would be bound in heaven (Cf. Matthew 16:19).

d) Faith and power

Together with authority came power! It was the very power of God that caused the fig tree to wither away! Jesus was saying to His disciples that they had not comprehended the power that was available to them!

2. “And do not doubt…”

The problem of doubting was still a big problem in the hearts of the disciples. Their being so easily astonished indicated the level of faith that they had. They did not have the kind of steadfastness or depth of faith that Jesus would like to see in them. They still vacillated between faith and doubt! As long as that problem still existed, they would never find the authority and power of God fully operative in their lives!

3. “You will not only do what was done to the fig tree…”

The disciples had not fathomed the full potential of the faith that God had implanted in their hearts!

a) They would be able to exercise the kind of power Jesus wielded.

b) Even greater things can be done. Mountains would obey, and not just a simple fig tree!

4. “And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive”

Once again, Jesus brought the disciples up short. They needed to do something about their prayer-life! The lessons the disciples needed to learn, we need to learn as well.

a) They needed to pray much more.

b) They needed to pray with a greater sense of faith in their hearts.

c) They must dare to believe that they will receive definite answers to their prayers!