Fig Tree and Forgiveness
Mark 11:24 – “For this reason I tell you, whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 – Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him so that your Father in heaven will also forgive you your sins.”
Jesus and the disciples had previously come across a fig tree that was full of leaves. It had all the appearance of having fruit, but when Jesus came closer to find fruit to satisfy His hunger, He found none and He cursed the tree so that it withered. Peter noticed the changed condition of the tree the next morning and Jesus said to them. “Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, if someone says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.’” Then Jesus brought in forgiveness. Why?
If the fig tree can wither and the mountains can be moved and thrown into the sea upon command with a faithful prayer to God, then why would we stand in prayer and not ask for forgiveness? Without faith in God our grudges will remain as immovable mountains and unwithered, fruitless fig trees. Our prayers will not tap into the power needed to change the things that need changing in our lives – merely because we are not asking. If we have something against anyone, then let’s pray for the power to forgive! The bitterness will wither and the mountainous obstacle preventing reconciliation will be thrown into the sea where the rest of our sins get tossed when we ask for forgiveness.
Let’s not be asking for withered trees and mountains to move if we will refuse to ask for forgiveness. Let’s have faith in God and ask Him for the impossible today!
Where two are gathered 