Have the Faith of God-SAYING IS BELIEVING!
Text: Mark 11:12-24
Mark 11:22-2 Many times this has been taught as a "stand alone" teaching rather than as a whole context. Mark 11:22 was actually a continuation of a same scene and part of the same conversation. Starting from V11. What was Jesus trying to teach in the first place? He was not just teaching faith but he was trying to teach a much bigger lesson here.
We begin by noticing that Jesus was hungry. This natural hunger was symbolic of another hunger that was within Jesus; otherwise, the whole account of the temple would not have been there. We as Christians are looking for something to eat.
What did the leafy Fig tree represent? A Fig tree is symbolic of Israel's peace and security. Israel's peace and security up to that point had been religion. Jesus cursed that Fig Tree and it withered from its roots and died. Jesus said "May no one ever eat fruit from you ever again". Jesus Himself cursed all external forms of religion.
What is our peace and security based upon? Our religion, carrier. Finances, health?
However, He did not leave them without a hope for a better foundation.
V22-Have the Faith of God.
How do we have this kind of faith? Faith on the finished work of Jesus on the cross. Jesus was punished, scourged, whipped till His appearance was beyond recognition. Faith that "it is finished". It's all been done for us on the cross. Faith not on things that we can see; facts which change but faith on the truth! When we are sick, that's only a fact and facts change but the truth never changes. It's no longer looking at things and hope they change but it's learning to look at the cross and see that it's been DONE! Instead of praying and asking God to intervene in a situation, we look at the cross and rejoice at the victory that we have.
How do you and I cultivate that faith? Believe is important but sometimes when we are in a tough situation, sometimes it's hard to even believe. It's easy to tell other people in situations to believe but when we are in it, where do we start? How do we start believing? How can we become a Fig tree full of fruit in season and especially like the fig tree above, out of season?
The key is not "Doing" but "Saying". Notice how many times Jesus said in this passage to "Say" and how many times, He told us to believe. Sometimes, we just have to start "Saying". Everyone has been dealt a measure of faith in our hearts to BELIEVE. However when we see circumstances and are overwhelmed, we find it hard to SAY. It is in this very situation that we must SAY for SAYING releases our FAITH into the miraculous.
Pro 18:20-21
It starts with saying the "right thing". The reason many are not seeing fruitfulness is because of what is coming out of our mouth. The devil does not know what is going on until we open our mouth. Sometimes, the whole atmosphere in a situation changes when we open our mouth. Best thing to do is pray; atmosphere changes.
Samuel Hari © GROW BM
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