Mark 11:20 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.
21 And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.
22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
Earlier in the week of our text, Jesus had approached this fig tree looking for fruit. He was hungry and wanted something to eat. Mark was directed to remind us that it was not the season for fruit on that tree. We noted that Jesus used that fig tree as a picture of the nation of Israel. Israel was chosen by God to be a light to the nations around them. They were to testify to the goodness of God. Israel chose not to be that testimony. They wanted to look good, but they did not want to bear fruit for the Lord.
Now we read that in the morning, Jesus and His disciples passed by this fig tree again. This would now be Tuesday morning. The disciples noted that this tree was dried up from the roots. The tree had been healthy when they passed by it previously. Peter took note of this current condition of this tree. He pointed out what he observed to Jesus. He and no doubt all the disciples were amazed at how quickly this tree had died from the roots up.
Jesus did not have much to say about the tree. He simply challenged the disciples to have faith in God. That is the key. Of course it is important to know the true God. The true God is the Creator of heaven and earth. Jesus Christ was and is the eternal Son of God. He had done many miracles in the presence of the disciples. He had multiplied a little food into enough to feed five thousand men besides women and children. He had cast out devils. He had healed many sick. He had also warned the disciples that He would soon be arrested, tried, and crucified. He would die a cruel death on a cross. However, He would also be taken off that cross and be buried and then rise again three days later. They still did not believe that to be possible. How could this man who could do so many things even allow Himself to be arrested, tried, and killed?
In verse 23 Jesus further addressed the matter of having faith in God. Jesus pointed out that impossible things were possible with God. The key is not to doubt in the heart. We live in a time when the Charismatics have taken this text and corrupted it. Men like Kenneth Copeland and scores of others have claimed to believe these verses in their distorted way, but they have never moved a single mountain. They have been able to deceive many gullible people into giving millions of dollars to their worthless causes. They have become very wealthy and caused many others to become very poor. They do not feel one bit guilty for their theft. They are hardened criminals who will find out just how corrupt they are one day as they stand before a righteous and holy judge at the great white throne judgment. They will be shocked then, but it will be too late.
Jesus pointed out what kind of a mountain He was referring to in the very next verses. Forgiveness is not something that comes naturally to us as people. We like to hold grudges. Jesus would soon be arrested and tried and killed. Yet He would pray to His Father, that He would forgive His killers. Jesus did not come to condemn people to death. We are already condemned from our birth. Jesus Christ came to provide the only way for man to be forgiven and saved.
God’s forgiveness is not dependent upon our worthiness. Jesus would forgive a condemned convict on the cross next to Him. That thief would die on that cross, but he would be in paradise with Jesus on the very day he would die. There would be no purgatory. The apostle Paul wrote:
II Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
Jesus taught that prayer is something He expects His people to be involved in. However, if we are praying and we know we have something against another person, we need to be willing to forgive that person. If we will not forgive those who have trespassed against us, we ought not to expect God to forgive us.
Biblical forgiveness is not whitewashing sin. Jesus forgave that thief on the cross because He turned to Jesus in repentance and sought His forgiveness. He did not have the opportunity to prove anything beyond that point, but Jesus knew that man was seeking forgiveness because he understood he was a guilty sinner, deserving death and hell. He asked Jesus for mercy. There was another thief on another cross, who continued to mock Jesus. That thief wanted to get off his cross as well. However, he had no desire for a changed life. He was content to remain a hardened criminal. He perished. He is in torment today. Forgiveness is applicable for those who want to change. Jesus offered forgiveness to those who condemned Him to death. He offered it to them, but most of them never wanted it.
Jesus did not hold a grudge against them. That is what is required of us as well. We do not hold grudges against those who wrong us. We offer them forgiveness. We offer them the same forgiveness that God offers us.
Jesus pointed out that if we cannot forgive those that have wronged us, God the Father will not forgive us either. Our sin against God is far greater than any sin any person could ever commit against us. It is a beautiful thing to live free from the guilt of sin. It is a beautiful thing not to hold grudges against others. It is a beautiful thing to be forgiven by God. We need His peace in our hearts. Many people are looking for some superficial way to have that peace. They cannot find it because there is no way to gain that peace apart from knowing the true God. Be sure you know His peace today.
Pastor Bartel
