This post is part of a series that will take us up to the Easter holiday that celebrates the Resurrection of our Lord.
Mark 11:20–25 (ESV) – 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 them, “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.”
The disciples were amazed at what happened to the fig tree. It had withered away all the way to the roots! Jesus told them that they could accomplish great things too if they would only believe in the power of God and rely on prayer. Even things that seem impossible can be accomplished through the power of God. This was Jesus’ point when he spoke of throwing a mountain into the sea.
The followers of Christ have been called to go into a dark and sinful world that is hostile to God and his word and preach the gospel. On the surface, this seems like a giant waste of time. What will it actually accomplish other than getting us laughed at, called names, or persecuted? However, if we trust in God and rely not on our own power, but the power of prayer, we can accomplish what seems impossible. This is what Christians through the ages have believed and this is what has motivated them to go into all the world and tell of Jesus. The result has been untold numbers of saved sinners whose lives have been changed forever. May we trust in God and be people of prayer as we live for him.
Lord, help us accomplish through you what we cannot accomplish on our own. Help us to reach the world with the gospel. Amen.
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