November 11, 2019
How Strong Is Your Belief? Will It Move Mountains or Be a Withered Fig Tree?
Matthew 21:1–22
Jhonda Johnson
Central Truth
God CAN do anything we ask for in prayer. However, He WILL do only that which is consistent and in harmony with His will and what He has promised to do. The power in bold prayers begins with belief.
Key Verse | Matthew 21:20-21
When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, "How did the fig tree wither at once?" 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."
Matthew 21:1–22
The Triumphal Entry
1 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying,
5
“Say to the daughter of Zion,
‘Behold, your king is coming to you,
humble, and mounted on a donkey,
on a colt,
1
21:5
Or donkey, and on a colt
the foal of a beast of burden.’”
6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. 8 Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” 10 And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”
Jesus Cleanses the Temple
12 And Jesus entered the temple 2 21:12 Some manuscripts add of God and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. 13 He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.”
14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them. 15 But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant, 16 and they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read,
‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies
you have prepared praise’?”
17 And leaving them, he went out of the city to Bethany and lodged there.
Jesus Curses the Fig Tree
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.”
Dive Deeper | Matthew 21:1–22
Trees are so fascinating. At first glance, we see them as strong, sturdy, and immovable. That's how I picture strong faith and belief—like a tall, firmly rooted oak tree. However, this passage presents another perspective to consider. When we look at our belief, is it strong enough to move mountains, or is it just a withered fig tree? The power of prayer is remarkable. But the true power begins with the strength of the one true God in whom we believe.
Belief is defined as trust, faith, or confidence in someone or something. Unbelief can be stealthy—stealing our joy and faith in God's goodness and promises.
Belief is a choice. Even when it seems illogical, exercising our belief and putting our faith to work in our lives leads to HIS promises becoming OUR realities.
Jesus' purpose was evident in every moment and action. HIS continuous faith and belief were evident in all that HE did. We see His unmatched humility, willingness to take the form of a servant, and submission to an undeserved punishment that we deserve for our sin. These actions and more are the foundation of our belief. They provide solid evidence that He did more than just move mountains, but granted us all life and freedom eternally.
Jesus' hyperbole of casting a mountain into the sea demonstrates the power of boldly asking in prayer and believing that even tiny faith can overcome the greatest of obstacles. "He said to them, 'Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, "Move from here to there," and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.'" (Matthew 17:20)
The power of prayers is not that God grants us carte blanche everything we ask for or want. Rather, they help us have faith and believe that HE will fulfill the requests that are in harmony with the principles of HIS kingdom.
Jesus' humble entrance into Jerusalem preceded His final faith-conquering act of love and humility, which resulted in the free gift of salvation to all who believe in Him.
Discussion Questions
1. How strong is your belief? What impacts your belief?
2. In what area of your prayers could you use a healthy boost in your belief?
3. Do you invite God into your prayers?
4. In what areas of your life have you experienced answered prayers?
5. How can you widen your prayers and belief moving forward? What are the advantages of bold belief and prayers?