Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. - Matthew 21:21
There are some scriptures in the Bible that we simply take for granted. The reasons are varied. Some texts are straightforward and do not need much thought or commentary. Others are so widely shared and known that we do not think too much about the meaning. Then there are verses like the one above that while common and inspiring, seem so downright impossible that we figure Jesus is just being poetic and we move on to the next text that appears to make more sense and that is applicable to reality. But I would argue that no biblical verse should be so hastily read or overlooked as to numb our desire to truly comprehend when it is saying. The whole Bible is God-breathed. These are His words to humankind as spoken through human beings. So even if something smacks of being far fetched, we ought to have the courage to sniff out the meaning and then figure out how to apply it.
Let’s try to dissect what Jesus is saying here. He is commenting on the fig tree that He has just cursed and caused to almost instantly shrivel and die. The disciples are wowed by the display of such power. Then Jesus, almost causally, ideates that they can do the same thing. What? Curse a tree and watch it wither right in front of me? Yup, that’s it. Ok. Sure…I guess. Then Jesus advises that the key to doing such a thing lies in one’s ability to have faith, to trust without a shred of doubt that it will happen. Not only can you do this thing, He adds, but so much more. Now let’s pause. I have never personally tried to kill a tree in this manner. Our cherry trees died…probably from a lack of water. Our pear tree died…but that might have been a disease. Our lemon shrub died…but that’s because a deer ate it down to nothing. I wished they had all survived honestly. But that brings up a significant point. Under what circumstance would I ever need to cause a tree to dry up on the spot? I cannot think of a reason. Let’s keep going.
Then Jesus posits that even mountains may be thrown into the sea merely by speaking the word. Really? If I just trust, and do not question, then this can be done? And I think again, when have I ever needed a mountain to move? I haven’t. But if I needed one to, then the Lord says it can and will happen. Let’s get deeper. Jesus knows you and I can only kill trees by under watering or uprooting them. Jesus knows that we could never lift a mountain and toss it out into the ocean. But, He also knows that He can. So the text is not a description of my power, but God’s. It is not a commentary on my authority, but that of Christ. In addition, the cursing of trees and relocation of mountains is not just recreation and divinity games, there must be a purpose and alignment with God’s seriously perfect will. Furthermore, most humans will never find it necessary to deal with trees and mountains in this manner. However, we are always up against sickness, fear, death, demons, grief, depression, hate, doubt, sinful tendencies, temptations, and so many other situations that seem impossible to handle. And what Jesus is suggesting is that our impossible is God’s possible. We are not relying on ourselves, but an infinitely potent God. We are not in this alone. We rest on His authority, not our own. Trees and mountains for us are debt, sorrow, pain, generational curses, spiritual lethargy, selfishness, and that lost loved one who is resisting salvation, and a broken marriage. And in all of this Christ says, have faith, do not doubt, and even you can do and witness the improbable, the impossible. Turn your eyes away from you and put them on ME and watch problems wither and immovable circumstances jump into the sea. Ask ME anything, says the Lord, and I will make it happen. If it is MY will, nothing can hold it back from becoming reality. It will take time, it will take prayer, it will take resisting questioning the will of God, but if you persevere and hold onto your faith, He will do it!
This weekend we jump back into our teaching series with a message entitled, The Life and Teachings of Jesus: Authorities. We will study into Matthew chapter 21, keeping our eyes fixed on the authority of Jesus. But not everyone in the passage is so inclined. May the Lord be lifted up before us that we may behold His wonder and power. May our faith be increased and our salvation in Him made sure. See you Sabbath!
Pastor Dean
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