Take this opportunity to read this section of Matthew 21.
Jesus does and says some interesting things on His way back into Jerusalem following His rest with His friends in Bethany. Let's take a look at a few things we can learn from Jesus' walk back into town.
1) Jesus not only speaks in parable but sometimes He lives in parable.
When Jesus kills the fig tree He was living a parable. Jesus wanted to show His disciples that He is not interested in empty faith. This fig tree without fruit represents many of us and/or many of our churches. Like the tree some of us are Christians without fruit. We are churches without Jesus. We look the part but are useless. Jesus hates this. He wants authentic Christians and authentic churches, not pretenders.
2) Prayer is powerful.
Verses 21 and 22: "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."
Prayer is powerful. However, prayer is not some magical act.
Jesus said anything can happen through a prayer with faith. I believe that a prayer that is done in complete faith will be answered every time. This is true because a prayer with faith is a prayer that aligns with God's will. As your faith grows you have no reason to doubt because with a mature faith comes a mature understanding of God's will. The prayer of a mature, faith-filled person is full of listening as well as asking. So, of course what ever you ask for in that kind of a prayer will be answered because God's will is always accomplished.
So live authentically for Jesus and remember the power of prayer today.
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