The Eleventh Sunday of Israel (GA)

Matthew 21:18-22

¹⁸ In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he became hungry. ¹⁹ And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once.

²⁰ When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?” ²¹ And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. ²² And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”

God is going to give you whatever you want all you have to do is believe it. Jesus promises that if you ask in faith you will receive. All you have to do is have enough faith and everything will be yours. God is promising not only to move mountains, but also to kill trees. How much more would it be to win the lottery, or get that great job?

How much faith is necessary to move a mountain? Or maybe it is just a figurative mountain? How much faith is necessary to wither a tree? I am pretty sure that I know how not to produce fruit, but not sure that I have enough faith that God is requiring. Do you have enough faith?

Your salvation may depend on it! We know that we are saved by faith alone. Therefore, how much faith I have must matter. And if I do not have enough faith to kill a tree (which I can do pretty well with a weed whacker), then do I have enough faith to get to heaven or be holy?

Good thing it is not about you! Jesus Christ died for your sins. Jesus Christ was the whithered tree in your place. Jesus has the faith to move mountains. Jesus knows the way to salvation, and he only has to point at himself. Jesus died for you. Jesus claimed you. The Holy Spirit gave you the right amount of faith.

The Holy Spirit is even looking after your prayers. Jesus is your advocate before the father. Your prayers are not answered because of your faith, or your sincerity. They are answered because God loves you and Jesus is willing to die for you and the Holy Spirit is willing to fight along side you against the wickedness of this world.