ASK, BELIEVE, RECEIVE
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 this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done. And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”
Imitations have become better and better with time. It is almost impossible to tell the difference between artificial and live plants. We need to be cautious in someone’s kitchen because those fruits that are sitting on the counter may be fake.
“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 this 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 21:21-22)
We have all experienced a time in our lives when we realize that things are not as they seem. In today's Bible verses, Jesus sees a fig tree full of leaves, a sign that it should be bearing fruit, but when Jesus got closer, there was no fruit. The fig tree had all the outward signs of fruitfulness but nothing below the foliage. Jesus cursed the tree, and it withered and died.
Like the fig tree, many people in Jesus’ time had all the outward signs of a relationship with God but no spiritual fruit. They were more worried about what the Romans thought of them than what God thought—accepting Jesus as God could create problems in their lives between themselves and the Roman government.
“And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” (Romans 8:10)
Rome demanded that its citizens and subjects only worship Caesar as their god. To accept Jesus as God would be an act of defiance to the Roman Government. It would be way easier to avoid conflict, ridicule, and even persecution by not outwardly accepting Jesus. Following Jesus would be difficult and uncomfortable at that time.
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)
That is how it is today, too. Following Jesus comes at a cost. It is not always popular or easy. Jesus teaches us that to have unshakeable faith and fervent prayer, all things are possible. Jesus wants us to have real, fruit-bearing faith in Him, not to only go through the motions, but to change lives!
Are there any areas of your life where other people’s opinions matter more to you than God’s opinion? Why do you think that is?
Heavenly Father, I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Thank You, Father. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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